Fiji U20 midfielder Tevita Khan saved Nadroga from a disappointing loss with a late equalizer against premier champs Tailevu Naitasiri in the first leg of the Promotion Relegation tonight at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka.
Tailevu Naitasiri’s inspirational midfielder Taufiq Ahmed scored the opening goal of the match early in the second half through a superb header which gave Nadroga goalie Pramesh Prasad no chance.
The first half proved to be a luck-lusture affair as both teams failed to find the back of the net with strikers missing a lot of opportunities.
Goalkeeper cum striker, Jone Ralulu was the downfall for the stallions upfront as he time and again missed from close range.
However the second half provided the sparks with Nadroga throwing everything after the Tailevu Naitasiri goal.
Nadroga coach Joseph Nitya Nand made two important substitutions by sending in Khan and seasoned defender Francis Bali who made the difference for the hosts.
An indirect free kick in the dying minutes saw Bali’s attempt deflecting off the Tailevu Naitasiri wall and falling into the path of Khan who made no mistake to keep Nadroga’s chances of remaining in the super premier alive.
Tailevu Naitasiri president Sandeep Roy said lapse in concentration in the dying minute cost them dearly as they were set to return home with full three points from the match.
“I am a bit disappointed but then a draw is better than a loss and we will really be all out to beat them (Nadroga) when they come to Nausori, said Roy.
“We dominated the match in the second spell and should have held on but a defensive mistake whereby we gave away the indirect free kick took the win away from us.
“Overall we played well and should do even better in front of our fans next week” he added.
Nadroga coach Joseph Nitya Nand was satisfied with the draw and said that they will need to work extremely hard if they are to beat T/Naitasiri and remain in the super premier.
“We were lucky to come away with a draw tonight but need to strengthen our defence and attack before we head to Nausori next week.
The draw has made the second leg scheduled for next Saturday at Nausori’s Ratu Cakobau Park more exciting and interesting as a win to T/Naitasiri will give them a spot in super premier next season while a win to Nadroga will keep them in the top league.
The teams:
Nadroga- Pramesh Prasad, Thomas Costa, Levi Tawake, Ranjeet Singh, Luke Rawadamu, Jone Ralulu, Kevueli Tamoi, Garfil Costa (Francis Bali), Jonas Nacewa, Pauliasi Gavidi, Tevita Khan.
Coach: Joseph Nitya Nand
Tailevu Naitasiri- Lemeki Nakavu, Semi Murad, Kunal Swarup, Taufiq Ahmed (Rajneel Deo), Shameem Suleman, Mohd Zaid Suleman, Ashwin Lal, David Shankar, Ratu Luke Dautiki (Kaliova Tivalu), Ranesh Ram, Jitendra Prasad.
Coach: Elvis Goundar
Referee: Andrew Archari Goals: Taufiq Ahmed (T/Naitasiri), Tevita Khan (Nadroga) Bookings: Yellow- Ralulu (Nadroga), Swarup (T/Naitasiri) Ground: Hard but playable Crowd: 400+
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