The Extra Supermarket Labasa football team returned to form by defeating Nasinu 2-0 in their Digicel Fiji Premier League (DFPL) matchup at Subrail Park on Saturday. This victory secured three points for Labasa, allowing them to hold on to the second position in the DFPL standings.
Labasa striker Tigi Molea opened the scoring in the first half with a powerful shot from within the 18-yard box, giving his team a 1-0 advantage. In the 80th minute, young player Jone Lalagavesi increased Labasa’s lead to two goals.
Coach Ravneel Pratap expressed his satisfaction with the result, emphasizing its importance for maintaining their second-place standing. “The players understood the significance of this game because the upcoming away matches will be challenging,” he stated.
After a frustrating 1-1 draw with Nadi and Tailevu/Naitasiri in their previous outings, Labasa is now set to travel to Viti Levu for Round 17 where they will face Ba.
Pratap noted the improvement in his players’ decision-making on the field, mentioning that they avoided risky passes unlike in earlier games. “We didn’t make any foolish passes at the back, and I’m pleased with how the players performed. It’s all about competing for the league title now, especially since we have stumbled in a few past matches,” he remarked.
Maintaining a lead over teams like Lautoka, who currently sit third in the standings and could potentially move up, is crucial according to Pratap.
He also took a moment to congratulate Lalagavesi for scoring in his debut match for Labasa in the DFPL. “For the youngster, scoring in his first home game and getting plenty of playing time is a significant achievement,” he added.
The results from the weekend include:
Labasa 2-0 Nasinu, Tailevu/Naitasiri 1-2 Navua, Suva 4-0 Nadroga, Ba 1-0 Nadi, and Rewa 2-0 Lautoka.