Published in The Fiji Times on October 12, 1999.
WATISONI Voli sealed the last Inter-District tournament of the millennium with a lone goal that secured Nadi the title at Prince Charles Park yesterday.
The 57th minute goal saw the hosts retain the coveted Loyd Farebrother Trophy and the $10,000 prizemoney in front of 12,000-plus fans.
The left link lurched onto Alipate Driu’s cross inside the box which had beaten Ba goalkeeper Isikeli Seva to casually tap the ball into the net.
The goal sparked off celebrations in the Jetset town as Voli raced to the sideline.
The match looked liked it was headed for the 10 minutes extra spell and the much dreaded penalty kicks with both teams locked nil- all with three minutes to go.
Nadi’s decision to pull out centre link Stewart Bola and replace him with Nicola Raoma, added fire into its attacks.
Raoma combined with Driu, Maika Kasami and Voli putting pressure on Ba’a defence.
Ba obviously missed Meli Delai and Vimal Sami, who were red carded during the semi-final encounter against Lautoka.
Delal and Sami’s absence forced the reshuffling in Ba’s positions.
Captain Lorima Batirerega, who paired Ravuanma Madigi in earlier games, was forced to fall back to centre back, leaving a vacuum up front.
Ba manager Arvind Singh said they missed the duo’s absence adding that several of big players were carrying injuries.
He also commended Nadi’s win adding they played a better game on the day.
“We certainly missed the services of Vimal and Meli in the final,’” he said.
“But full marks to all my players and to Nadi for a gallant performance.”
The IDC super premier competition belonged to Nadi from Day One.
They hammered Labasa 5-1 on the first day, Lautoka and then Navua to complete its pool play.
But the side was tested to the limit by Suva in the semi-final before advancing to the final on penalty kicks.
Nadi team technical advisor Gurjeet Singh saluted his players for the victory,
“It was hard work all along, quite frustrating at times but all that has paid off,” he said.
Both teams played cautiously in the first spell, and Ba came back in the second half determined to score.
But it was Nadi that struck the right cord that led to Voli’s goal and victory.
