Nalaubu stars in Lautoka victory

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Navua’s defence scrambles as Lautoka’s Dave Radrigai attacks during their Digicel Premier League match at Churchill Park in Lautoka yesterday. Picture: REINAL CHAND

GOAL scoring sensation Sairusi Nalaubu proved his transfer from Suva back to Lautoka was worth every cent nailing the winner for the Blues against Navua in the Digicel Premier League match at Churchill Park yesterday.

Nalaubu pounced on to a timely pass from Dave Radrigai in the 61st minute and dribbled past the Navua defenders calmly slotting the ball underneath the grasp of goalkeeper Jayhneel Sivan to score the lone goal.

The 24-year-old who won the golden boot award in the 2020 Vodafone Premier League and the Fiji FACT also missed a few other chances.

The Blues lost captain Zibraaz Sahib early after he copped a cut following a nasty head clash.

Lautoka coach Tagi Vonolagi said the win was what all mattered at the end of the game.

Vonolagi said they missed a lot of chances at goal and need to improve their finishing.

“A win is a win and those three points is what matters,” he said.

“The heat was a factor that affected both teams. The finishing is not there. We missed a lot of chances at goal.

“We have been working on that during the preparations and I hope it will improve.

“Fitness is there but we need to work on the combinations of the players. The communication is not there.

“They need to communicate better from the goalkeeper to the back line through to the midfielders and then the strikers. The passes need to be accurate.

“Although they are matured players, but they still need to get better.”

Vonolagi said the first game in competition was always tough. He said Navua would be no pushover this season.

“They did well to contain us in the first 30 minutes,” the former Fiji captain said.

“In the second half, they came out strong but what mattered was that goal score by Sai (Sairusi).”

Navua coach Avinesh Ameet Prakash said they prepared really well for the match against Lautoka.

“It was that one mistake in defence that cost us the three points,” Prakash said.

“But that is part of football and we will move on from this and prepare for the next match against Labasa. I know that the boys will bounce because their morale is very high coming into the DPL.”

Lautoka: Benaminio Mateinaqara, Zibraaz Sahib, Afraz Ali, Sitiveni Cavulagi, Dave Radrigai, Malakai Rakula, Edward Aaron, Muni Naidu, Sairusi Nalaubu, Kolinio Sivoki, Wilson Doedoke.

Navua: Jayhneel Sivan, Vinal Prasad, Thomas Dunn, Monit Chand, Arami Manumanubhai, Vineet Chand, Netani Doli, Isake Naduvu, Jasnit Vikash, Alfred Tahir Ali, Suliano Masi Doli.

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