Lautoka, the champions of the Battle of Giants, continued their impressive performance by defeating Labasa 4-2 in the Digicel Fiji Premier League Round 13 match held at Churchill Park.
Despite being without key players such as Epeli Leiroti, Zibraaz Sahib, and Sakaraia Naisua, and sitting their Battle of Giants winning captain Ilimotama Jese on the bench, Lautoka showcased a strong game against a Labasa side that had made several reinforcements.
Lautoka’s lineup featured young Maciu Tuinuku at right back, while Saula Waqa and Sairusi Nalaubu moved into midfield, allowing for a new striking pair in Nigerian Usman Omede and Shiva Pillay, the younger brother of James and Raj Pillay.
Labasa welcomed back Netani Suluka, who had been absent during the Battle of Giants, and started with Christopher Wasasala and Melvin Mani in attack, leaving Solomon Islanders Tigi Molea and Junior Fordney on the bench.
The first goal came in the 31st minute when Iliesa Lino inadvertently scored an own goal while trying to clear a threat, giving Lautoka a 1-0 lead at halftime.
Labasa made tactical adjustments at the start of the second half, substituting Sekove Naivakananumi and Molea for Eparama Moraica and Ilisoni Logaivou. Molea took up a central midfield position, while Naivakananumi bolstered the defense. Lautoka responded by bringing Jese into midfield, replacing Omede as Nalaubu shifted to the front.
Pillay extended Lautoka’s lead by scoring off a rebound after his initial shot was deflected. In the midst of an intense match, Labasa introduced veterans Taniela Waqa and Fordney.
Lautoka’s Sekove Luma, a young forward, earned a penalty in the 76th minute when fouled in the box, which Waqa converted to further increase Lautoka’s advantage.
Labasa finally found the net in the 85th minute, with a goal from substitute Waqa, but Lautoka’s Nalaubu closed out the match with a stunning goal in the 89th minute, racing past two defenders to score.
In the closing moments, Lautoka goalkeeper Tabucala was substituted, and his replacement, Umesh Ram, faced a challenging debut. He allowed a goal from Wasasala in the first minute of injury time and then fouled him, leading to a penalty. Wasasala, however, hit the post with his attempt, leaving the score unchanged at 4-2.
Lautoka remains third in the standings with 22 points, while Labasa holds second place with 27 points.
The teams 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.