POURING rain over Nausori did not deter the spirits of Rewa and Labasa in the opening round of the Pillay Garments Champion v Champion tournament at Ratu Cakobau Park yesterday.
Rewa won the match 1-0 after Mosese Nabose shot the ball between the posts in the seventh minute of play.
Winning coach Priyant Mannu credited his team for stepping up to the task when needed, especially with the absence of experienced players.
“It’s a great start. Coming into this tournament, we were without so many players, but the boys stepped up when needed and a first win is important for us,” Mannu said.
With a win in the bag for the Delta Tigers recorded on home soil even as rain poured and sent more than 1000 spectators further up the grandstand yesterday, spirits were not dampened as the same will be said when the team heads to the North this week.
“Now we have to look forward to the next game,” he said.
Labasa coach Alvin Chand commended his side for the work carried out, despite the result recorded, even as they were a man short due to a red card shown to Iowane Matanisiga in the second half.
“I’d like to thank my boys; we did really well. Even though we lost, and even with 10 men, we maintained the composure in our defensive state,” Chand pointed out.
“But yes, goals matter in football. We could not score and Rewa got one chance and they scored and that’s how the game ended.”
Even with a loss for the visitors, Chand remains optimistic.
“But nevertheless, it’s a two-leg tournament I would say, and we have one whole week to prepare and we have now seen what are the areas of improvement since our squad has gone through a lot of changes and I assure the fans that we will try to keep a performance that is memorable for them,” he emphasised.
As his word of assurance to the die-hard Babasiga Lions fans was delivered, it comes after more than 1000 fans attended the match in Nausori.
Round two in Labasa is expected to see even more attendance figures, as the CvC will be hosted by the Lions on their home turf this weekend.
The second round will be held at Subrail Park.
