Lautoka, the champions of the Battle of Giants, continued their impressive performance by defeating Labasa 4-2 in the key match of the Digicel Fiji Premier League Round 13 at Churchill Park.
Despite being without several prominent players, including Epeli Leiroti, Zibraaz Sahib, and Sakaraia Naisua, and leaving their BOG-winning captain Ilimotama Jese on the bench, Lautoka displayed strong teamwork against Labasa, who had brought in some reinforcements for the match.
Lautoka fielded young player Maciu Tuinuku in defense, while Saula Waqa and Sairusi Nalaubu shifted to midfield, allowing a new striking duo of Nigerian Usman Omede and Shiva Pillay, the younger brother of James and Raj Pillay, to take the front line. On the other side, Labasa coach Ravneel Pratap included Netani Suluka—who was absent during the BOG—in the starting lineup and opted to play Christopher Wasasala and Melvin Mani upfront, placing Solomon Islanders Tigi Molea and Junior Fordney on the bench.
Lautoka opened the scoring in the 31st minute when an attacking move led to an unfortunate own goal by Labasa’s Iliesa Lino, who misdirected his clearance into his own net. Lautoka went into halftime with a 1-0 lead.
Labasa made changes at halftime, bringing on Sekove Naivakananumi and Molea for Eparama Moraica and Ilisoni Logaivou. Molea took up a central midfield position while Naivakananumi enhanced the central defense, moving Lekima Gonerau to left back. Lautoka responded with Jese entering the midfield and Omede leaving the field, pushing Nalaubu forward.
Pillay doubled Lautoka’s advantage by tapping in a blocked attempt from Nalaubu shortly before the match’s midpoint. Labasa then added veteran players Taniela Waqa and Fordney as the match became more intense. Lautoka introduced young Sekove Luma to the attack, who won a penalty in the 76th minute after being fouled in the box. Waqa took the penalty and successfully increased Lautoka’s lead.
Labasa got a goal back in the 85th minute when substitute Waqa found the net. However, Nalaubu secured the victory for Lautoka in the 89th minute, finishing expertly after outracing two defenders.
In the final minutes, Lautoka’s goalkeeper Tabucala was replaced, and Umesh Ram, in his debut, faced difficulties. He allowed an easy goal to Wasasala in the first minute of stoppage time and subsequently fouled the Labasa attacker, conceding a penalty. Wasasala, however, failed to convert, hitting the post.
With this victory, Lautoka remains in third place on the table with 22 points, while Labasa stands in second with 27 points.
The teams that played were:
Lautoka – Viliame Tabucala (Umesh Ram), Antonio Tuivuna, Maciu Tuinuku, Sterling Vasconcellos, Aporosa Yada, Muni Shivam Naidu, Ilisoni Logaivou, Saula Waqa, Sairusi Nalaubu, Shiva Pillay (Sekove Luma), Usman Omede (Ilimotama Jese).
Labasa – Jitoko Vulava, Iliesa Lino, Sitiveni Rakai, Lekima Gonerau, Ilisoni Loloivalu (Sekove Naivakananumi), Akeimi Ralulu (C) (Taniela Waqa), Netani Suluka (Junior Fordney), Ashnil Raju, Eparama Moraica (Tigi Molea), Christopher Wasasala, Melvin Mani.