MAHATMA Gandhi Memorial School’s (MGM) Weet-Bix Raluve U18 side is determined to make the most of its second chance after securing a place in the Vodafone Deans national elimination rounds despite finishing runners-up in the Southern Zone competition.
MGM went down 0-18 to Lomary Secondary School in Saturday’s Southern Zone final, but coach Antonio Rabulika believes the experience has prepared his young side for the bigger challenge ahead.
“We came to win, but then we didn’t play our cards right,” Rabulika said.
“Most of our players are playing for the first time in the grand final. We know very well that the Lomary team is full of very good players.
“We tried as much as we could not to play according to their game, but it’s the first time we’re playing in the final, so we’re satisfied with what we did.”
Rather than dwelling on the result, Rabulika said the team’s focus had shifted to the national elimination rounds, where MGM would represent the Southern Zone as runners-up.
“We’re going to the national quarters as runners-up from the South. We have another week to reset and then we’ll reload again.
“And we’ll see what the results are. Hopefully our next one will be better than what we had today.”
The coach said one of the team’s priorities would be improving its ability to control possession after being denied opportunities in the final.
“Today we were denied a lot of possession. That is one area that we have to work on. Without the ball, we really can’t score any points.”
Despite the setback, Rabulika believes the Southern Zone competition has been an important stepping stone for the players, many of whom were experiencing a final for the first time.
“I think it’s a really good competition. Whoever performs at this stage will rise to the top, whether it’s in the Rooster Chicken Fijian Drua Women or the Fijiana program.”
With another opportunity still ahead, MGM will now look to regroup, learn from Saturday’s experience and approach the national elimination rounds with renewed confidence.
