WHEN Napolioni Qasevakatini joined the Suva side in the September transfer window, some keen Whites followers doubted his ability.
Yesterday, the 21-year-old striker put all doubts to rest after scoring the winner in the Courts Inter District Championship final at the ANZ Stadium.
Qasevakatini scored in the 113th minute to help the 10-man Suva beat his former side, Nadi 1-0.
The win was special for Suva as it finally won a tournament on its home soil after 31 years.
The Capital City side last won a tournament at home in 1983 — Qasevakatini wasn’t even born then.
Suva coach Gurjit Singh said there was a lot of criticism against Qasevakatini joining the side.
Singh, who hardly shows emotions on the sideline, was jumping for joy after the goal from the lethal striker in the second spell of the extra time play.
“This win is special because Suva has won a tournament at home after so many years and also because Qasevakatini scored the goal,” Singh said.
“There were some people outside who wanted Qase to be changed but I had confidence in him.”
Qasevakatini, who hobbled off the field after the game, was not comfortable about giving an interview.
Nadi coach Kamal Swamy said it was heartbreaking to concede a goal from one of their own.
“Unfortunately a player from Nadi has scored for Suva.
“He made his choice, he forgot about his district and wanted to play for Suva and we cannot stop him.”
The much anticipated final started on a slow pace with both teams taking a cautious approach on attack.
All Freight Logistics Suva stuck to its 4-4-2 formation, keeping strikers Inia Boko and Qasevakatini upfront and relying on the flankers to supply them with possession.
In defence, Suva was a bit clumsy at times which allowed the Shop N Save Nadi led by strikers Samuela Drudru and Josefata Dugucagi to seep through.
Both teams went into the break locked at nil-all.
Nadi made a strong start in the second spell and kept the Suva defenders busy but lacked the finishing touch to get past goalkeeper Ulaiasi Tamanisau.
The match ended scoreless and it was down to the 15-minute a side extra time play to determine the winner.
Suva lost defender Kolinio Sivoki in the opening half of the extra time after he was shown successive yellow cards and subsequently sent off the field.
Nadi maintained the pressure but it was Qasevakatini who stole the show after capitalising on the poor defence from the Jetsetters to slam past a diving Beniamino Mateinaqara.
The win earned Suva $18,000 while Nadi had to settle for $5000.
