The Extra Supermarket Labasa football team returned to form with a 2-0 victory over Nasinu in their Digicel Fiji Premier League (DFPL) match at Subrail Park on Saturday. This win secured three crucial points, keeping Labasa in second place on the DFPL standings.
Labasa’s striker Tigi Molea opened the scoring in the first half with a powerful shot from within the penalty area, giving his team a 1-0 advantage. Young talent Jone Lalagavesi doubled the lead in the 80th minute, sealing the win for Labasa.
Coach Ravneel Pratap expressed satisfaction with the outcome, emphasizing its importance in maintaining their position on the points table. “The players knew the significance of this game, especially with challenging away matches ahead,” he noted.
The team’s performance was a welcome rebound from their previous disappointing draws against Nadi and Tailevu/Naitasiri. Labasa is now set to face Ba in Round 17 of the DFPL on Viti Levu.
Pratap pointed out the improvement in his players’ decision-making during the match, as they avoided risky passes that had plagued them in earlier games. “We didn’t play any risky passes at the back; I’m pleased with our decision-making,” he stated, stressing that every game is crucial in the fight for the league title.
He also highlighted the importance of maintaining a buffer between Labasa and teams like Lautoka, who currently sit third in the standings and could potentially move up to second place.
Additionally, Pratap congratulated Lalagavesi for scoring in his debut match for Labasa in the DFPL, acknowledging the significance of achieving this milestone in front of home fans.
The results from other matches included:
Labasa 2-0 Nasinu, Tailevu/Naitasiri 1-2 Navua, Suva 4-0 Nadroga, Ba 1-0 Nadi, and Rewa 2-0 Lautoka.