Rewa FC snatched a dramatic injury-time winner to beat Nasinu FC 2-1 in their Round 4 Fiji Premier League clash at Ratu Cakobau Park yesterday, surviving a stern test after Nasinu were reduced to 10 men in the first half.
The game swung early when Nasinu’s Ratu Nalewadonu was shown a straight red card for dangerous play, leaving the visitors a man short for the remainder of the match. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Nasinu took the lead when Bruce Hughes coolly converted a penalty to put his side ahead against the defending champions.
Rewa pressed for an equaliser and found it through substitute Epeli Valevou, who came off the bench to bring the hosts level and reinvigorate the home side. Valevou’s goal changed the momentum, setting up a tense finish as both teams pushed for a winner.
The drama peaked deep in stoppage time when Rewa were awarded a second penalty of the afternoon. Patrick Joseph stepped up and calmly converted from the spot to hand Rewa all three points and leave Ratu Cakobau Park in raptures.
Nasinu, forced to play almost the entire match with ten men, defended stoutly and created a few chances, but were ultimately undone by the late decision that handed Rewa the victory. The result keeps the defending champions on course in the early rounds and underlined Rewa’s capacity to find late solutions through their squad depth.
Yesterday’s result will be a bitter pill for Nasinu, who showed resilience after the sending-off and might feel aggrieved not to have taken a point. For Rewa, the win represents a hard-fought response to adversity and a timely boost as the season unfolds.
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