National rep Setareki Hughes scored from an individual effort to send the defending champion Rewa overcoming Nadi 1-0 in the first semi-final of the 2022 Punjas Battle of the Giants tournament at Churchill Park in Lautoka yesterday.
Coach Marika Rodu named a relatively different line-up with Kavaia Rawaqa as captain. Rodu said it was a tough game as their players had a long season this year with the Oceania Champions (OFC) League also. “We don’t have the manpower to physically train the team,” he said.
“The motivation level was there against a team that we did not determine to give us a big challenge. The fact is that we had to play another game. So today was just another game.
“So we had to understand the process and the system that we had just to come to execute. I think the boys in the starting team did not start but together they played well as a team.
“You have to give players on the bench match time.”
Rewa Tevita Waranaivalu, Ilisoni Logaivou, Rusiate Matarerega and Ni-Vanuatu midfielder Alick Worworbu were benched for Rewa.
Teams: q Nadi- Tevita Ravia, Rahul Krishna, Samu Kautoga, William Valentine, Ashneel Kumar, James Hoyt (Eshan Kumar), Jaygray Sipakana (Tuiba Batiratu), Ilimotama Jese (C), Ame Votoniu, Vuniuci Tikomaimereke, Siotame Kubu (Andrew Naicker).
q Rewa- Mohammed Alam, Peniame Drova, Ivan Kumar, Patrick Joseph, Abbu Zahid (Setareki Hughes), Bruce Hughes (Ilisoni Logaivou), Gabiriele Matanisiga, Madhwan Goundar (Alick Worworbu), Josaia Sela (Tevita Waranaivalu), Kavaia Rawaqa (C), Iowane Matanisiga.
