Replacement striker Ratu Samuela Rage starred for Tailevu Naitasiri with a goal in the 77th minute against Suva to help his team earn a vital point.
Suva was leading the match with an early goal from Meli Codro after a lack of concentration from the Tailevu Naitasiri defence.
Into three minutes of play, Codro netted the goal with a shot from outside the penalty box.
Suva missed a few scoring chances in the first spell while Tailevu Naitasiri was kept at bay by the Whites defenders of Inoke Turagalailai, Remueru Tekiate, and young Samuela Navoce.
However, Suva’s defensive line was finally breached in the 77th minute when substitute Ratu Simione Rage equalised for Tailevu Naitasiri following some brilliant work by the team.
The Whites had a few more scoring chances in the last quarter but could not execute them.
Suva coach Babs Khan says this is a wake-up call for them.
“Good thing is we didn’t lose, we lost a bit of focus when we won the Fiji FACT. I guess we were thinking we were right on the top, it is a wake-up call and dig deep.”
Tailevu Naitasiri head coach Nigel Khan says the team executed the game plan well.
“Suva is a good team, nothing taken away from them, but the boys really concentrated for 90 minutes, and played their hearts out. The new boys also gelled in well.”
Suva remains on second spot in the Digicel Premier League with 26 points while Tailevu Naitasiri sits in ninth place with nine points.
Ram’s Cleaning Services Suva FC will take on NZOTC Nasinu side in round 14 of the competition.
