The Nadi football team changed its pace in the second-half to beat Nasinu 3-1 in the Vodafone Premier League fixture at the ANZ Stadium in Suva yesterday.
The Kamal Swamy-coached side scored its first goal through Rusiate Matarerega in the 40th minute to lead Nasinu 1-0 at the break.
Both sides came back strongly in the second-half as Nasinu coach Tagi Vonolagi injected some pointers to his players to counter in the second-half forcing Nasoni Mereke to capitalise the scores to 1-all.
Swamy knew his opponents’ weaknesses and switched his attacking play format and changing a gear higher to give them two more goals.
“During the break, I told them about their pace of play and they needed to increase it because it suits them and their speed,” said Swamy.
“After Mereke’s goal, I realised we needed to play smart football, so I used our fast attackers that led to two more goals.”
Matererega scored another goal to boost the Nadi team’s performance and then Napolioni Qasevakatini sealed the deal for the Jetsetters.
Nadi lost in the last round to Rewa 2-1 but Swamy and his boys are building the momentum and combination towards the Courts Inter District Championship next month.
“We have a very tough pool in the IDC and we will not underestimate any team but I am working on the right combination and getting in some old players.”
Nadi; Vereti Dickson (GK), Vuniuci Tikomaimereke, William Valentine, Jeshal Kumar, Ame Votoniu, Christopher Kumar, Surjason Sami, Napolioni Qasevakatini, Serevi Waqa, Sakaraia Naisua, Afraz Ali. Reserves; Tevita Ravia, Rusiate Matarerega, Eshan Kumar, Beniamino Lebatavatava, Abishek Prasad, Zainal Ali, Mosese Nauci.
Nasinu; Viliame Rakuro (GK), Semi Vakatalai, Sekove Naivakananumi, Daniel Dass, Iliafi Tili, Asaeli Tunidau, Shahil Kumar, Marlon Tahioa, Meli Nagusudrau, Jasnit Vikash, Isikeli Ratucava. Reserves; Meli Bavatu, Meli Vesi, Inia Basaga, Noa Seru, Patrick Sarwan, Jone Koro, Meli Junior, Tomasi Uculoa.
