Ushant Lal from Tailevu Naitaisiri was named the man of the match in the FMF Inter-District Championship premier division opener against Tavua yesterday. Lal netted the first goal in their 2-0 win over a sidelined Tavua team, which played with only nine players.
The talented Vunimono High School student outmaneuvered Tavua goalkeeper Nalesoni Ravato in a one-on-one confrontation, securing a 1-0 lead by halftime. Lal expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, stating, “It was a great outing for the team; we played as brothers.” He added that earning three points in the first match was a positive start and acknowledged Tavua as a worthy opponent.
Tavua faced significant challenges after goalkeeper Josaia Ratu and Ratu Nalewadonu received red cards in the first half for unprofessional conduct. Although Tavua attempted a comeback in the second half, they struggled to score against a determined Tailevu Naitaisiri defense. France Catarogo added a second goal for Tailevu, firing a powerful shot past Ravato.
Tavua captain Manasa Nawaikula expressed hope for improvement in their upcoming match, acknowledging that the loss highlighted their weaknesses and maintained optimism for their next game against Savusavu on Thursday.
In another match in the premier category, Nasinu and Bua ended in a 2-2 draw.