Labasa College is the new champion of the undr-17 grade at the Extra Fiji Secondary School Football Championship after edging Tilak High School 5-4 in a tense penalty shootout at 4R Stadium, Govind Park, yesterday.
The Northern side returned home with $1000 prize money, a $1000 Extra Shopping voucher, and the winner’s trophy, while Tilak settled for $500 prize money, a $500 Extra Shopping voucher, and the runner-up trophy.
The final was a tightly contested affair with both teams showing strong attacking and defensive play.
The score remained locked 0-0 at halftime and fulltime, with neither side able to break the deadlock even after extra time.
The match was eventually decided by penalties. Labasa College scored all of their first five kicks, while Tilak matched them until their final attempt.
Their fifth kicker’s strike was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Charles Peters, a Taveuni native whose heroics sealed the victory for Labasa.
Peters said self-belief and support from the fans gave him confidence in the crucial moment.
“I believed in myself that I will stop that kick.
“Thank you to the supporters from Vanua Levu and here in Ba, and to our coach for all the hard work. Our main message was to come here and win, and we did it,” Peters said.