The Extra Supermarket Labasa football team returned to victory with a 2-0 win against Nasinu in their Digicel Fiji Premier League (DFPL) match at Subrail Park on Saturday. This victory secured three crucial points for Labasa, allowing them to stay in second place on the DFPL standings.
Labasa striker Tigi Molea opened the scoring in the first half with a powerful shot from inside the 18-yard box, putting his team ahead 1-0. Young talent Jone Lalagavesi increased the lead in the 80th minute, sealing the win for Labasa.
Head coach Ravneel Pratap expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, emphasizing the importance of the win in maintaining their position on the table. “The players understood how vital this game was, especially with tough away matches coming up,” he said.
Labasa rebounded from a disappointing 1-1 draw in their previous matches against Nadi and Tailevu/Naitasiri and will now head to Viti Levu for their upcoming match against Ba in Round 17 of the DFPL.
Pratap noted that his players’ decision-making had improved compared to earlier games, where they often made risky passes. “We avoided playing any reckless passes at the back, which I am pleased with. It is crucial to stay competitive for the league title,” he commented. He also highlighted the significance of maintaining a lead over rivals such as Lautoka, who are currently third in the standings.
Pratap took a moment to commend Lalagavesi for scoring on his debut match for Labasa in the DFPL, calling it a significant achievement for the young player.
In other results from the day, Tailevu/Naitasiri lost 1-2 to Navua, Suva triumphed 4-0 over Nadroga, Ba won 1-0 against Nadi, and Rewa defeated Lautoka 2-0.