Fiji FACT champs Navua were taken to the wire and scored two goals in the last quarter of their opening Battle of the Giants match to record their first victory in the tournament.

Navua after the victory leads Pool two with a better goal difference and also maintains its unbeaten Fiji FACT run and clean sheet, having not conceded a single goal since the Fiji FACT in their encounters.

The Southern Forest sponsored side created history this afternoon at Thompson Park when it for the very first time hosted a tournament fixture on home soil and the early mini carnival set up and lung power provided by the supporters set the stage for an interesting battle.

Tavua led by seasoned campaigners Jone Turagarere, Josefa Nabaro and Saimoni Tukai proved to be tough customers for the hosts which boasted Solomon Islands imports Commins Menapi and Stanley Waita alongside former Labasa rep Thomas Vulivuli.

Excellent goalkeeping by Turagarere kept the Navua attack at bay and both teams ended the first spell goal-less.

Tavua midfielder Everett Wilmolt had the best chance of the spell when he had to place the ball in an open goalmouth after beating the Navua defence but his attempt went astray.

Navua Coach Gurjeet Singh made the timely changes in the second spell which proved to be the turning point in the match.

Apisai Smith replaced Menapi while fellow Solomon Islander Vahid Ramosaea went on for Thomas Vulivuli and featured strongly in the central midfield zone.

Super sub Apisai Smith and Epeli Saukuru reignited the Fiji FACT magic with Smith opening the account for the Anaconda boys after firing a powerhouse attempt which gave Turagarere no chance at all.

Hardworking midfielder Pranil Chand got the second for Navua after beating the Tavua offside trap neatly before placing the ball into the back of the net.

Navua soccer boss Anil Sharma was happy with the win and said Tavua deserved the credit also for putting up a great show.

“Tavua stretched us to the wire and really played well and hats off to them for a good performance, he said.

“My boys played well and managed to get the win which was our main objective heading into the match.
“All teams will be out to beat us in the tournament and we will be taking one game at a time” he added.

Navua faces Rewa on Thursday in the second match of the day while Tavua is on a bye and will feature on Friday.

Navua - Simione Tamanisau, Pene Erenio, Usaia Tadu, Siga Ali, Seveci Rokotakala, Rajneel Chand, Thomas Vulivuli (Vahid Ramosaea), Simione Maikali, Pranil Chand, Commins Menapi (Apisai Smith), Stanley Waita (Epeli Saukuru).

Tavua - Jone Turagarere, Rumeru Takiata, Ilimotama Jese, Saimoni Tukai, Josefa Nabaro, Lawrence Naidu, Sachin Krishna, Pranit Singh, Meli Codro, Everett Wilmolt, Semi Vakatalei (Avinesh Gounder).

Stats:
Goals: Smith and Chand (2nd spell)
Man of the match: Pranil Chand (Navua)
Referee: Leone Rakoroi
Bookings: Simione Maikali (Navua), Semi Vakatalei (Tavua)
Crowd: N/A
Ground: Dry and playable

Fijilive

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