LOVERSPOINT Restaurant NZ Rewa Masters clinched the 2019 RC Manubhai/APCO Coatings International Veterans title after beating Nasinu Masters 4-2 on penalty kicks at Uprising Beach Resort artifi cial turf in Pacifi c Harbour on Sunday.
The NZ Masters started the final with much tempo in the 8th minute player former Nadi striker Irinale Nabalurua scored the opener after beating the Nasinu defence.
NZ Rewa Masters took advantage in the 18th minute with a goal from former Rewa striker Lisala Bonatoba taking the 2-0 lead Nasinu came back in the 24th minute with a goal from former Nasinu striker Binesh Kumar and continued to pressure the NZ Rewa defence which saw referee Mahen Singh awarding a penalty to Nasinu in the 33rd minute after striker Binesh was fouled in the penalty box.
Former Suva rep Vikash Prasad “Vicky” levelled the score from a penalty kick with a powerful shot past former Labasa, Nadi and national goalkeeper Ravinesh Narayan which forced the winner to be decided on penalty kicks.
Goalkeeper Ravinesh Narayan saved the first shot from Nasinu’s Vikash Prasad after judging his shot well while Imran Ali scored his first kick for NZ Rewa.
Ashwin Chand’s kick went wide out giving the NZ Rewa Masters an advantage while Mohammed Riaz Khan scored the second kick of NZ Rewa. Binesh Kumar scored for Nasinu while Leone Vurukania shot in the third penalty for New Zealand.
Sameer Ali scored the winning penalty for NZ Rewa.
NZ Rewa Masters team manager Robert Roshan Lal was the happiest man after the fi nal.
“I am really proud of the boys today (Sunday) as we achieved what we came here for,” said Lal.
He said their aim was to win the tournament.
“This is our first win in the RC Manubhai/APCO Coatings International Veterans tournament and we came here with an objective to win the title and the boys have done it,” said Lal.
Lal thanked Fiji football for hosting such a tournament for former players.
‘I would like to thank Fiji FA for such a lovely tournament despite the unfavourable weather and it was great to see some of the former players in action.”
‘We are a very good side and we are defending champions of the Pacific Cup and we have been playing in a league back home which we are also leading with three matches undefeated.”
“This was our third title in a row as we have also won the International Veteran’s tournament in NZ this year and this is something which we were looking for, “said Lal.
Nasinu Masters coach/player Lawrence Robert said they were unfortunate to lose in the final.
“We are unfortunate as the penalty kick is anyone’s game but I salute my boys for their gallant performance as seen we were down 2-0 but the boys played really well,” said Lal.
NZ Rewa: Ravinesh Narayan, Imran Shaukat Ali, Mohammed Riaz Ali, Mohammed Faizal Khan, Mohammed Ilfraz Ali, Leone Vurukania,Seveci Rokotakala, Sameer Ali, Imtiaz Begg,Lisala Bonatoba, Irinale Nabalarua.
Nasinu Masters: Shalendra Govind, Mau Penisula, Valerio Nasema, Jalindar Singh, Ronald Ram,Lawrence Robert, Ashwin Chand, Akesh Narayan, Vikash Prasad, Rajesh Kumar, Binesh Kumar.
