The Rewa football side scored two goals in extra time to claim a 3-2 win over Ba in the second semi-final of 2023 Digicel Fiji FACT at the HFC Bank Stadium last night.
Former Ba rep Abbu Zahid had put Rewa ahead in the ninth minute.
Zahid collected a pass from Tevita Waranivalu and took a touch before blasting the ball into the Ba goal. Rewa led 1-nil at halftime.
Ba tried hard in the second spell but failed to find the back of the net.
Just when it looked like Rewa would take it out, Ba star attacker Nabil Begg drew a foul inside the Rewa box in the 90th minute.
Referee Kavitesh Behari did not have to think twice to award Ba a penalty. Etonia Dogelau successfully converted the penalty to force the match into extra time.
Rewa coach Rodicks Singh made some tactical changes which proved worthy when substitute Asivorosi Rabo put them ahead in the first spell of extra time.
Rewa pushed for a second and were awarded a penalty in the second spell of extra time. Patrick Joseph put the Delta Tigers ahead 3-1.
Ba didn’t give up and kept pressuring the Rewa goal.
Dogelau got his second of the game heading in from close range. Ba pressed for an equaliser in the last five minutes but Rewa held on to secure a spot in the final.
Teams
Rewa: Emori Ragata, Peniame Drova, Patrick Joseph, Abbu Zahid, Setareki Hughes, Kavaia Rawaqa, Iowane Matanisiga, Madhwan Gounder, Tevita Waranivalu, Josaia Sela, Gabrielle Matanisiga
Ba: Tevita Koroi, Praneel Naidu, Etonia Dogelau, Mohammed Raheem, Jonetani Newa, Rahul Naresh, Nabil Begg, Faazil Ali, Ratu Apenisa Anare, Carlos Raffa, Peceli Sukabula
