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 solidified Labasa’s position in second place on the points table.
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 lead. Young talent Jone Lalagavesi widened the gap with a goal in the 80th minute.
Labasa’s coach, Ravneel Pratap, expressed satisfaction with the performance, emphasizing the importance of the win to maintain their ranking. “The players understood the significance of this match, as the next few games on the road will be challenging,” he noted.
The team rebounded from a disappointing 1-1 draw against Nadi and Tailevu/Naitasiri in their previous outings. They are set to face Ba in Round 17 of the DFPL next, traveling to Viti Levu for the clash.
Pratap mentioned that the players’ decision-making has improved significantly compared to earlier games, stating, “We avoided risky passes at the back, and I’m pleased with the players’ judgment. It’s all about competing for the league title now; we’ve let ourselves down in some past matches.”
He also highlighted the importance of maintaining a lead over other teams, like Lautoka, who currently sit third in the standings and could potentially rise to second place.
The coach congratulated Lalagavesi on his debut match for Labasa in the DFPL, where he managed to score. “Making a mark in your first game at home and getting substantial playtime is a significant achievement for the young player,” he added.
In other results from the league, Tailevu/Naitasiri lost 1-2 to Navua, Suva triumphed 4-0 against Nadroga, Ba edged out Nadi 1-0, and Rewa defeated Lautoka 2-0.