Fiji FACT 2023 | Blues win again

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Navua’s goalkeeper Viliame Rakuro fails to stop a goal from Lautoka during the Digicel Fiji FACT aT the HFC Bank Stadium yesterday. Picture: JONA KONATACI

The Lautoka football side made it two out of two wins at the 2023 Digicel Fiji FACT after thumping Navua 4-2 at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva yesterday.

Navua went into the match after losing to Ba 2-1 on the first day and started the match on a high note.

Lautoka sustained pressure for the first 15 minutes but kept Navua at bay.

Top marksman Sairusi Nalaubu got the first goal for Lautoka after some good work from Afraz Ali on the right flank.

Lautoka led 1-nil at halftime.

It took Lautoka less than a minute to double its lead in the second spell.

Sitiveni Cavuilagi rifled in a powerful shot that put Lautoka up by two goals.

Things got worse for Navua when defender Arami Manumanubai handled the ball inside his box.

The referee awarded a penalty to Lautoka and captain Zibraaz Sahib made no mistake from the spot.

With three goals down Navua slowly found its way back into the match.

Coach Saiyad Ali made some technical changes which saw substitute Suliano Doli grab one back for the southerners.

Jared Rongolisua made it 2-3 when he converted a penalty from the spot as a Lautoka player failed to keep his hands away from the ball.

Just when it looked like Navua would find a equaliser, Aporosa Yada settled the scores with a pile driver from the edge of the box.

Lautoka coach Ronil Kumar said Navua was a good team and he had make changes to his game plan to come out with a win.

“They (Navua) dominated play in the first quarter so we made changes to our approach. It was a tough match for us but hats off to the boys for coming out strong in the end,” Kumar said.

Navua’s Saiyad Ali said his players had a to take a lot from the loss.

“Despite losing I think my team played well. We played some good constructive football but again goal scoring let us down,” Ali said.

Teams

Navua: Viliame Rakuro, Mathew Charitar, Brian Charitar, Mannav Permal, Jared Rongolisua, Arami Manumanubai, Melvin Mani, Zainal Ali, Vinal Prasad, Thomas Dunn, Sunny Deol

Lautoka: Senirusi Bokini, Saula Waqa, Aporosa Yada, Zibraaz Sahib, Sitiveni Cavuilagi, Afraz Ali, Ilimotama Jese, Kishan Sami, Manasa Nawakula, Sakaraia Naisua, Sairusi Nalaubu

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