A goal apiece in the second half saw Suva and Lautoka end their Vodafone Premier League clash played to a one-all draw at the ANZ Stadium yesterday.
Suva coach Babs Khan said they were unlucky not to have come away with some opportunities squandered.
“This is football and it’s about taking the right chances,” Khan said.
“If you don’t take your chances, this is what will happen.”
A scoreless first-half was not without its moments as both teams looked to notch points on the scoreboard lighting up the gloomy Suva weather with some precision football.
Lautoka forward Shivnil Sahil Chand looked dangerous on the right flank exploiting multiple opportunities to break, but failed to connect with his inside runners.
A free-kick was given to Lautoka outside the box in the 30th minute by Malakai Rakula only to be punched away by Suva goalkeeper Beniamino Mateinaqara with Lautoka failing to utilise the following corner kick.
Suva star striker Sairusi Nalaubu came close to breaking the deadlock in the dying minutes after dribbling past the Blues defence line for a powerful strike, but a gallant defensive effort from Lautoka goalkeeper Joela Biuvanua diffused the situation.
Both teams headed to the tunnel at the break locked at nil-all. Khan said the message to his side was to play a more patient game after a high tempo first-half.
“We were playing to Lautoka’s game and I told our players to be patient and they did and the goal came,” Khan said.
The Capital City team came out firing in the second half, with Nalaubu continuing his goal scoring form, sending the crowd into a frenzy, as the Tabia assassin juked his way past defenders and lobbed the ball past Biuvanua’s reach to find the back of the net three minutes in.
Lautoka coach Ravinesh Kumar said it was an improved performance from the side after last week’s loss to Ba.
“The players played up to the level expected of them after last week’s loss,” Kumar said.
“Bigger teams such as Labasa and Ba have lost here and I am happy we were able to play to a good draw.”
Lautoka replied in the 58th minute as a lax Suva team allowed centre forward Sitiveni Cavuilagi to strike the ball past a flat-footed Mateinaqara to level the score.
Lautoka increased the tempo with Cavuilagi and forward Dave Radrigai testing Mateinaqara’s mettle yet again on three separate occasions, but the Fiji national goalkeeper’s nerves held firm.
In the dying minutes, Nalaubu collaborated with midfielder Nickel Chand in the search for the winning goal, but failed to find the clincher.
Teams: Suva: 1.Beniamino Mateinaqara 3.Meli Codro 5.Remueru Tekiate 6.Nickel Chand 7.Manasa Levaci 10.Christopher Wasasala 11.Ravnesh Karan Singh (c) 12.Joeli Ranitu 14.Sairusi Nalaubu 17.Filipe Baravilala 23.Iosefo Verevou substitutions: 4.Simione Nabenu 9.KalisitoVeikoka 13.Semi Matalau 15.Jonetani Buksh 16.Shahil Dave 22.Emori Ragata 24.Kini Madigi 27.Patrick Taroga
Lautoka: 22.Joela Biuvanua 2.Sekove Finau 3.Zibraaz Sahib (c) 4.Kolinio Sivoki 5.Epeli Leiroti 7.Dave Radrigai 8.Malakai Rakula 11.Edward Aaron 12.Shivnil Chand 15.Sitiveni Cavuilagi 17.Netani Doli substitutions 23.Viliame Tabucala 6.Epeli Rokotuva 9.Raj Pillay 10.Samuela Gavo 13.Shazil Ali 14.Edward Naicker 16.Aporosa Yada 18.Arami Manumanubhai 19.Ratu Bainivalu.
