Published in The Fiji Times on Tuesday, April 18, 1995
SUVA 12-11 NADROGA
SAIASI Tubuna turned from striker to goalie yesterday and saved, instead of scoring, the most important goal for Suva in the penalty shoot-out against Nadroga.
They had to go to the last kicker and young Vereniki Nalio was unfortunate to have the tall Suva striker in goal.
Tubuna stopped the straight shot by Nalio and Suva entered the final of the Fiji FACT as expected, 12-11.
They had turned around at half-time at one-all but finished the second half scoreless.
Tall Mosese Jese turned up as striker and drew first blood for Nadroga four minutes from half-time with a perfect header from in front.
A neat cross from skilful Atinesh Prasad floated across the Suva goal and Suva keeper William Lasaqa watched the ball but was shocked when Jese nodded the ball into the back of the net.
Suva pumped up the pressure and just on half-time, Intiaz Khan equalised. There was a scramble in front of the Nadroga goalmouth.
Striker Navitalai Visawaqa pumped a shot from the edge of the box, the ball deflected off keeper Ilikimi Tulalevu and Khan pushed the equaliser in.
Both sides had started the semi-final encounter wary of each other.
Their past records of having to end up with penalty kicks was at the back of their minds and history was repeated.
Suva pulled out Lasaqa and sent in Joeli Baleidrokadroka, sensing that the fresh player would be a good replacement for Lasaqa who had played a good throughout for Suva.
The end result has to be a tournament record because all the 11-players from both teams took the penalty kick until the very last man from Nadroga was denied a final berth and Suva held onto tradition.
Suva: Lasaqa (Baleidrokadroka), Maretino, Jiten Kumar, Jona Matanikorovatu, Nawalu, Jone Watisoni, Prem Naicker, Sairusi Niulevu, Shalend Lal, Khan, Tubuna, Visawaqa.
Nadroga: Tulalevu, Waisea Naiova, Kaminieli Tuilawaki, Emosi Watkins, Anirudh Singh, Mesulame Titifanua, Sevuloni Tasere (Nalio), Masi Naitasiwai, Atinesh, Jese, Ned Hicks.
