Published in The Fiji Times on Saturday, April 10, 1993
Labasa 2-1 Rewa
Rewa’s chances slumped to virtually zero after it lost 1-2 to Labasa in the FFI/Vinod Patel/Fiji FACT yesterday.
It was Rewa’s second loss from as many games and the Reds could be one of the first teams to be heading back home.
Sirilo Logaivau opened Labasa’s account in the 17th minute after his follow-up was rewarded when Rewa goalkeeper Johnny Andrews failed to grasp a tricky ball.
Logaivau was right on the spot to hammer the ball in before Andrews could scoop it back.
Three minutes later, Solomone Catarogo who sliced through the Rewa defence after a well-timed pass and out-paced Andrews to roll the ball into the net.
Catarogo was last year’s goal hero for Labasa scoring the winner against Nadroga.
The first half ended with Labasa enjoying its handsome lead but Rewa came out with all guns firing in the second spell.
A good opportunity for Rewa went begging when Labasa goalkeeper Petero Namoce was caught out of position but Labasa defenders quickly came to his aid and covered up.
Rewa narrowed the margin in the 45th minute through replacement Viliame Ledua who first-timed a shot from just inside the penalty box.
Rewa could have equalised in the dying moments through Manoj Kumar but he was off target even though he had only goalkeeper Petero Namoce at his mercy.
The teams: Labasa – Sakiusa Narara, Berenado Lutua, Nete Francis, Henry Francis, Waqa Soso (Shalendra Kumar), Koloba Soso (Sanjay Singh), Sirilo Logaivou, Livai Doguca, Salesi Ruavusi, Buli Cama (Ben Lee), Namoce.
Rewa – Andrews, Abdul Mannan, Ilimeleki Ravitikula (Salesh Kumar), Kumar, Ronaold Chaudhry, Kumar, Terry Waqaliti, Elia Lawakeli (Seremaia Bai), R mani, Penaia Caucau, Mohammed Yusuf (Ledua), Meli Tamanitoakula.
