The Lautoka football team celebrated victory as they captured the Battle of the Giants title, defeating Nadi 2-0 in the final held at Suva’s HFC Bank Stadium yesterday. This latest win adds to Lautoka’s success, as they had previously secured the Digicel Fiji FACT title earlier this year. The team remains engaged in the ongoing Digicel Fiji Premier League and is looking ahead to the Interdistrict Championship (IDC) scheduled for October.
Lautoka Football Association president Shalendra Prasad reflected on their journey, noting that they had lost to Nadi in their opening group match. “Our first loss was a big slap to our face and the players were reminded that they can perform and do the job. We’ve made a comeback,” he stated. Prasad expressed their desire to win the B.O.G trophy following their recent victory in the Digicel Fiji FACT tournament.
With confidence high, Prasad mentioned their aspirations for the upcoming IDC tournament, which they are hosting. He praised his players for understanding their roles in the final and their efforts to penetrate Nadi’s strong defense, while also acknowledging Nadi’s achievement in reaching the final. He credited the coaching staff for their success in the tournament.
Nadi coach Raj Dayal commented on his team’s performance, stating that they struggled with execution in finishing. He noted, “The ground conditions were slippery and ball movements were not properly executed by our players.” Nadi received $5,000 for their second-place finish, while Lautoka took home $17,000.
The match unfolded cautiously amidst wet conditions, with neither team scoring in the first half. Lautoka broke the deadlock in the 65th minute when star striker Saula Waqa converted a penalty. As the rain continued, the game became more chaotic. In the 74th minute, Nadi’s Siotame Kubu received a yellow card for a foul.
Lautoka maintained the pressure, and in the 80th minute, Waqa delivered a precise through ball to an unmarked Sairusi Nalaubu, who netted their second goal. Although Nadi attempted a strong response, Lautoka’s defense, led by right back Sterling Vasconcellos, held firm.
In a separate match, Rewa Masters claimed victory in the International Veterans tournament over 40s division final, defeating Nadi Masters 1-0 at the HFC Bank Stadium, with Nithan Kumar scoring the decisive goal in the second half.