Lautoka has secured its place in the grand final of the 2024 Rooster Chicken/Scoops Ice-Cream Battle of the Giants by defeating Rewa 5-3 in the first semifinal at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva today.
The team, coached by Shivam Raj, dominated from the start, with Saula Waqa heading in the opener in the 20th minute. Although Rewa’s Josaia Sela equalized three minutes later, Lautoka maintained their high-energy performance.
Waqa doubled the lead in the 35th minute after capitalizing on a defensive error that left the goalkeeper out of position, allowing him to back-heel the ball into an empty net. Sairusi Nalaubu, who hadn’t scored in the group stages, showed his form by netting the third goal for Lautoka, skillfully maneuvering past three defenders and scoring with a low shot past goalkeeper Isikeli Sevanaia.
Nalaubu added a fourth goal in injury time after some effective midfield play by Epeli Leiroti.
Leading 4-1 at halftime, Lautoka continued to dominate in the second half. Rewa nearly got another goal in the 64th minute, but Samuela Kautoga’s attempt went wide.
Nalaubu sealed the win for Lautoka in the 83rd minute by beating two defenders and striking the roof of the net. Despite Extra Supermarket-sponsored Rewa’s efforts, including a Tevita Waranaivalu penalty in the 86th minute and an Epeli Valevou goal just before the final whistle, Lautoka’s lead remained insurmountable.
The teams were:
Rewa – Isikeli Sevanaia, Ivan Kumar, Patrick Joseph, John Orobulu, Setareki Hughes (C), Madhwan Goundar (Iowane Matanisiga), Tevita Waranaivalu, Josaia Sela (Epeli Valevou), Delon Shankar (Asivorosi Rabo), Stanton Alick, Samuela Kautoga.
Lautoka – Viliame Tabucala, Epeli Leiroti, Zibraaz Sahib (Ilisoni Logaivou), Aporosa Yada, Ilimotama Jese (C), Muni Shivam Naidu, Sairusi Nalaubu, Saula Waqa (Apisalome Ravouvou), Antonio Tuivuna, Sterling Vasconcellos, Sakaraia Naisua.