The Nadroga football team clinched a place in the 2024 Inter District Championship following a resounding 4-1 win against Tailevu Naitasiri in the Digicel Fiji Premier League at Lawaqa Park yesterday.
Nadroga started the match on the offensive, scoring three goals in the first half. Semesa Sacere opened the scoring, quickly followed by Joel Chand, who increased the lead. Abhishek Ram then added a third goal from the penalty spot, solidifying Nadroga’s dominance.
In the second half, despite being down 3-0, Tailevu Naitasiri regained some momentum when Sakiusa Saqiri found the net in the 48th minute, offering a brief ray of hope. However, Nadroga’s goalkeeper Sakeo Tageneca quickly quashed any comeback ambitions by scoring the fourth goal, also from the penalty spot, ultimately sealing the match for Nadroga.
With this victory, Nadroga now sits at 17 points, a comfortable five points ahead of both Tailevu Naitasiri and Nasinu, who remain tied with 12 points each and face possible relegation. As the league nears its final round, crucial matches are set, with Nasinu taking on Nadroga and Tailevu Naitasiri facing Lautoka, both key for their survival.
In another match, Navua earned a narrow 1-0 victory over Nasinu at the Uprising Sports Complex. After a scoreless first half, Jared Rongosulia scored the crucial goal from the penalty spot in the second half, securing the win for Navua.
Additionally, Suva surprised Lautoka with a 1-0 win at Churchill Park, thanks to a goal by Jo Moses during the first half. Ba secured a late 2-1 victory against Labasa at the Fiji FA Academy Ground, with Faazil Ali netting the decisive goal in the dying moments of the match. Labasa initially took the lead through Christopher Wasasala in the 18th minute, but Etonia Dogalau equalized 20 minutes later.
The final round of the Digicel Premier League is set to take place this weekend, after which teams will prepare for the IDC in Lautoka next month.