The 2025 Battle of the Giants final will be one that football fans in the north will remember for a long time.
This as the home team, Extra Supermarket Labasa triumphed at home, delivering a result worth celebrating with a 2-1 win over Lincoln Rewa in the final yesterday at Subrail Park.
The hosts got to celebrate this victory and lift the BOG trophy in front of the 7643 fans that turned up to witness the final.
Rusiate Doidoi and Simione Ragoneturaga scored for Labasa while Josaia Sela netted for Rewa.
Winning coach Alvin Chand shared the team’s winning dynamic.
“I’ve always been proud of my boys regardless of the results this season,” said Chand.
“They have always been very hardworking and today they showed that they have that fighting spirit in them and at the end we won the game.
“I told the boys that we have a lot of people who have come from very far away places in Vanua Levu and Taveuni. We can’t let these people down; we can’t have them leave this place sad every time we host a tournament. Whatever energy you have left, you have to give it all in this game, do it for our fans and I am thankful that our players did that,” he said.
Goalkeeper Jitoko Vulava, who is the younger brother of Suva goalkeeper Akuila Mateisuva, was named the player of the match.
He was also awarded the golden glove of the tournament while teammate Ilisoni Lolaivalu was awarded the golden ball.
Labasa walked away $17,000 richer and also received a $2500 shopping voucher with Extra.
Runners-up Rewa football, received $5000 in prize money plus a $1500 shopping voucher
Rewa was also given the Fair play team award.
John Orobulu and Etonia Dogalau of Ba football are the top goal scorers of the tournament, receiving the golden boot award.