NAMOSI coach Maraia Kasanita has warned her defending champions to expect another tough battle when they meet Nadi in the Subrails Marama Championship semi-final at King Charles Park at 1pm today.
After surviving a 30-27 sudden-death thriller against Tailevu in the quarter-finals, Namosi must quickly turn their attention to Nadi, with a place in the final at stake.
Kasanita knows the job is far from finished, especially after her side was pushed to the limit by Tailevu. Although the defending champions found a way to win, the narrow escape has highlighted the work still needed before tomorrow’s showdown.
“We are going to go back into the books. We have a lot to work on,” she said.
Namosi’s quarter-final victory also carried extra significance after their heavy defeat to Tailevu in round 10. This time, however, the champions came prepared, studied their opponents and found a way to turn the tables.
“We expected the game to be this tough because we had lost to them in round 10.
“We lost badly, so we went back and did our homework on them, and I think we came out victorious,” Kasanita said as she reflected on their quarterfinal encounter.
Even then, Tailevu refused to give way, forcing the match into sudden death. With two Namosi players in the sin bin, the pressure was firmly on those remaining on the field.
Kasanita, however, trusted her players to hold their nerve and stick to the game plan.
“I just told them to trust themselves. Play what we were taught during the week, and I think it worked out well.”
That belief carried Namosi through one hurdle, but Nadi presents another opportunity for the champions to prove their credentials.
Kasanita is taking nothing for granted, pointing out that every team in the semi-finals has earned its place through its performances.
“The teams who made it into the semi have proven that they deserve to be there.
“So we need to work extra, extra hard in order to beat whoever we are going to play against next week,” she said.
With a place in the final on the line, Namosi will need more than the grit that carried them past Tailevu.
They must be ready to match Nadi and make every opportunity count.
