Published in The Fiji Times on Tuesday, April 18, 1995
SUVA grabbed $6000 after silencing northern soccer fans at Subrail Park yesterday with an overwhelming 4-0 win over Labasa in the final of the Fiji FACT tournament.
In one of the capital city’s most memorable wins, Maritino Nemani’s new-look brigade dashed the silent wishes of the 10,000 strong partisan crowd for a home iwn by executing a disciplined and well-thought out game plan.
“We played according to our strategy,” said Suva coach and player Nemani.
“We settled right from the start and killed the game. Labasa had their own style but we denied them possession and stopped their momentum.”
Suva manager said team discipline played an important role in their first Fiji FACT win.
“We came to Labasa on business and we were well-behaved throughout, knowing the most important part was on the field,” he said.
Labasa president Peter Nand said Suva was the better team on the day.
“Suva deserved to win, with their strong finishing and I congratulate them. What else can I say? The Fiji FACT trend continues,” he said.
Two goals in each half silenced a patriotic Labasa crowd that had come with high expectations.
Labasa’s defence let them down. The backs tended to watch the ball, allowing Suva strikers Saiasi Tubuna and Navitalai Visawaqa to penetrate and take advantage of an out-of-form Labasa goalkeeper Petero Namoce.
Suva scored in the firth minute through a Tubuna header. The shock unsettled Labasa while the disciplined Suva pack stuck to its plan.
Visawaqa pumped in a 30-yard piledriver seven minutes from half-time to lead 2-0 at the break.
Meli Debalevu struck just four minutes into the second half and Nemani took the sting out of Labasa with a goal one minute later.
Spectators started to file out after Nemani’s goal, knowing that Labasa could not come back even with 25 minutes left.
It was a strong Suva performance and the win was sweeter after Labasa had beaten them 2-0 on Saturday’s pool match.
Labasa also beat Suva 1-0 in the 1994 IDC final in Suva.
Labasa received $2000, semi-finalist Rewa and Nadroga got $500 each.
The consolation for Labasa was their winning the Fair Play Trophy.
Last night, Suva City fathers were quietly planning a big celebration when the team arrives back from the North.
The city council and business houses are expected to organise a function for the team and a march through the city.
Suva: William Lasaqa, Nemani, Radike Nawalu, Jona Matanikorovatu, Jone Watisoni, Jiten Kumar, Debalevu (replaced by Sairusi Niulevu), Imtiaz Khan, Shalendra Lal, Tubuna, Visawaqa.
Labasa: Namoce, Sakiusa Narara, Usenio Logaivou, Taniela Tuilevuka, Jope Lomu, Solomone Seruratu (replaced by Livai Duguca), Waisale Rasoki, Epeli Levaci, Buli Cama, Tevita Tukania (replaced by Kolaia Nabaro), Simon Peters.
