A second half incident overshadowed what was otherwise an entertaining clash between Navua FC and Lautoka in the Extra Supermarket Premier League, with Navua holding on for a 1-0 win at Churchill Park yesterday.
The match was intense from the opening whistle, with Navua showcasing crisp attacking movements and rock-solid defending.
Their only goal came in the 29th minute when Ali Mekawir capitalised on a throw-in. Positioned perfectly, Mekewir fired the ball into the net, giving the visitors a deserving lead.
Just before halftime, Lautoka’s discipline faltered. Midfielder Ilimotama Jese was sent off after receiving a second yellow card, reducing the home side to 10 men.
Despite being a man down, Lautoka came out in the second half with renewed energy and dominated possession, creating several scoring chances but failing to convert any.
But it was the chaos midway through the second half that stole the spotlight.
Roughly 20 minutes after the break, a heated altercation involving substitute Usman Omede of Lautoka and Navua’s Kolinio Sivoki escalated, resulting in three red cards. Omede and Sivoki were shown straight reds for their roles in the scuffle, while Navua’s Vinal Prasad, who attempted to intervene, was also sent off for placing his hands on a player’s collar.
The incident caused a temporary halt to play and changed the tempo of the match. Navua remained composed and held their lead until the final whistle.
Navua head coach Saiyad Ali was pleased with the result but acknowledged the lack of fitness on both sides.
“I think it was a very good game, and it was clear that teams really lack fitness after a long break. Players were sitting back and waiting. That was a factor that affected both teams,” Ali said.
He also addressed the red-card drama and stressed the importance of discipline on the field.
“I respect the decision by the fourth official. It should be a learning experience for any player, you should never touch another player with your hands. That’s what happened to Vinal. He was trying to
separate the two players, but in doing so, he held the player by the collar. That’s not allowed in football,” Ali explained.
In another match played yesterday, Nadroga beat Tavua 3-1 at Garvey Park.
In the lone match today, Nasinu battles Suva at the HFC Bank Stadium at 3pm.
