A penalty shootout difference of 3-1 in favour of Extra Supermarket Labasa FC saw them win the 2025 BiC Fiji FACT title after a 10-year lapse at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva last night.
Labasa defeated the Ajay Trading Rewa FC team by way of a penalty shootout, in a thriller match that brought to a close the 34th instalment of the annual tournament.
Both teams exchanged fierce possession of the ball throughout the first half and the Lions broke through the tough Rewa defence at the 35th minute with a goal from Melvin Mani.
Mani’s goal went through thanks to a throw-in by Ashwin Raju as players fought for possession near the goal mouth as the ball slipped past the watchful eyes of Rewa’s goalkeeper James Do’oro.
In that moment, the vibrant force of cheers amplified by Labasa fans may have been the hidden element which helped sail the ball between the goalposts.
A fruitless contest for Rewa to make an equalise followed, and as the match went into half-time, the Lions still had a firm grip on the scoreboard.
After the break, it was prevalent the Rodicks Singh coached team needed to retain its dynamic force and grit in order to keep Labasa on its toes.
The Delta Tigers would then find firm footing at the expense of Labasa’s delay to defend itself with a free kick from Iosefo Verevou that sailed through for the much-needed equaliser at the 77th minute.
As the match went into extra time, the 30-minutes proved to be a stalemate for both teams and another break followed before the penalty shootout.
Five chances for both teams were handed, and each side took it in stride, as Fiji FACT glory lay at the end of the finale.
Labasa’s Simione Tamanisau and Rewa’s Do’oro exchanged places at the goal mouth, as only one kick by Rewa went past Tamanisau while others never made it since it either went above the bar or hit the bar and flew to the side.
Lekima Gonerau of Labasa walked up to the goal mouth, and at the blow of the whistle, kicked the ball into the net as it landed the Lions in a resounding Fiji FACT victory.
Meanwhile, during regular time, a red card was handed to Taniela Waqa of Labasa in the second half.
