The Nadroga football team achieved a commendable victory against Extra Labasa, winning 2-1 in their final pool match of the BiC Fiji FACT tournament at HFC Bank Stadium. This win, while securing a moral boost for the team, unfortunately did not lead to their progression in the tournament.
Team director Navin Kant praised the players for their outstanding performance against a formidable opponent like Labasa. He expressed gratitude towards the fans for their unwavering support, emphasizing that their journey is far from over. “They played with heart, and there’s much more we can achieve together,” he stated, indicating that the team intends to regroup with the same squad for future tournaments and the national league.
The match itself was intense, with Labasa initially taking the lead through Rusiate Doidoi’s goal in the 26th minute. However, Nadroga responded resiliently, leveling the score with a penalty from Malakai Lavecake in the 33rd minute. Jack Tokaki then secured the victory for Nadroga with a decisive goal in the 72nd minute.
Kant also pointed out an unfortunate technical issue during the match relating to displayed added time by the match officials, which has raised questions about officiating in the tournament. Despite this, he remains optimistic about his team’s future, underscoring that Nadroga will carry the lessons learned into upcoming competitions.
This victory serves as a reminder of Nadroga’s competitive spirit and determination, evoking past performances where they demonstrated resilience and a strong will to succeed. Fans can look forward to seeing how the team builds upon this momentum in future tournaments, hopeful for a bright future in Fiji’s football scene.
Leave a comment