Suva lucky charm Shahil Dave scored his first yet, most important goal of the season to secure a 1-0 win over Navua during their Digicel Premier League clash at the ANZ Stadium yesterday.
“I didn’t expect the goal that I scored to be important, but it was very important, not only for me but for my team,” Dave said after the match.
The young policeman was happy that his team withstood a strong assault from the men from Navua and with a second win notched, was looking forward to the rest of the season.
“We still have a lot of work to do in the midfield and pick up our fitness, but we are excited about going forward.”
The return from suspension of key players Christopher Wasasala, Filipe Baravilala, Iosefo Verevou and Kalisito Veikoka, bolstered Suva as they played defensively early in the match to weather the Navua attack.
But it was the Capital City boys who broke the deadlock 25 minutes into the first spell with the ‘Little giant’ Shahil Dave striking a powerful blow out of reach for Navua goalkeeper, Tharkur Narayan to score from outside the penalty box.
Navua midfield combination of Thomas Dunn and Kirtesh Prasad continued to hound the Whites’ defensive wall looking for an equaliser without relief by the halftime whistle.
The closest opportunity came when super sub and Navua veteran attacker Apisai Smith pounced on a beautiful through pass to slide it under Suva goalkeeper Atunaisa Naucukidi bringing to life the red and blue fans, only to be disallowed by referee Aaron Reddy, who ruled him offside.
Nadi also dominated at home, beating Lautoka 2-0 at Prince Charles Park and Ba survived a determined Nadroga outfit to win 1-0 at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka. Rewa also held Labasa to nil all draw at Subrail Park in Labasa
Suva: 1.Atunaisa Naucukidi 4.Simione Nabenu 5.Remueru Tekiate 6.Ramzan Khan 9.Iosefo Verevou 11.Ravnesh Karan Singh 12.Joeli Ranitu 15.Waisake Navunigasau 16.Shahil Dave 17.Filipe Baravilala 18.Laisenia Naioko substitutes: 2.Kalisito Veikoka 3.Meli Codro 7.Manasa Levaci 8.Kelvin Naidu 10.Christopher Wasasala 19.Merrill Nand 22.Emori Ragata
Navua: 22.Tharkur Narayan 5.Kirtesh Prasad 6.Thomas Dunn 7.Monit Chand 8.Arami Manumanubhai 9.Brian Charitar 10.Vineet Chand 12.Isake Naduvu 13.Mosese Balenagaga 18.Matthew Charitar 20.Alfred Tahir Ali substitutes: 1.Jayshneel Sivan 2.Ajesh Chand 4.Seveci Rokotakala 11.Netani Doli 14.Taniela Rakariva 15.Jasnit Vikash 17.Mannav Permal 19.Apisai Smith.
