The Navua football side defied all odds and held a much stronger Rewa side to a 1-all draw in the first match of round two of the 2022 Digicel Fiji FACT at Lawaqa Park yesterday.
Both goals came in the first spell of the match. Rewa captain Setareki Hughes opened the scoring from an Ivan Kumar cross in the 17th minute. Navua regrouped well and nearly equalized when Ajesh Chand had his free kick flicked over by Rewa stopper Emori Ragata.
Chand came in with a corner kick minutes later which was not handled well by Ragata and Navua captain Arami Manumanubai headed in from a few yards out in the 27th minute.
Both teams had a number of chances to win the match in the second spell but failed to find the back of the net.
Navua coach Saiyad Ali was pleased with the draw.
“After the loss against a much better Nadi side we will take this draw. Rewa is a much better side in many ways and I’m pleased we came out with a point. We could have won it but we couldn’t capitalize on the chances we had,” Ali said.
Rewa coach Marika Rodu said they could not execute their game plan well.
“The ground conditions weren’t up to our expectations and knowing Navua, they are a side which will not let you play the football you want. Full marks to them for doing that and we will try and improve in the next two games remaining,” Rodu said.
Rewa plays Nadi at 4.30pm today while Navua is on a bye.
Teams:
- Rewa: Emori Ragata, Peniame Drova, Ivan Kumar, Neemish Kumar, Patrick Joseph, Kishan Sami, Abbu Zahid, Setareki Hughes, Tevita Waranivalu, Kavaia Rawaqa, Alick Worworbu
- Navua: Senirusi Bokini, Ajesh Chand, Arami Manumanubai, Isake Naduvu, Mosese Balenagaga, Vinal Prasad, Zainal Ali, Brian Charitar, Shofwaan Ali, Joseph Elder, Mathew Charitar
