Navua squandered their opportunity to reach the semi-finals of the BBC/Wonderchick Fiji FACT tournament in 1991 after experiencing a narrow 1-2 defeat to Suva. According to a report from The Fiji Times dated April 1 that year, this match was Navua’s third pool game, which they largely dominated, especially in the first half.
Led by Ratu Suliano Matanitobua, Navua took an early lead, scoring first and heading into halftime with a 1-0 advantage. However, they lost their grip on the game during the second half, ultimately succumbing to their opponents in a pivotal playoff match.
Navua’s goalkeeper, Timoci Alui, expressed his frustration over conceding the winning goal, which dashed their hopes of winning the $5000 prize. Ratu Suliano had opened the scoring for Navua after successfully gathering a header from Donald Wise, who was set up by playmaker Kolaia Nabaro.
Despite their strong performance in the initial stages, Navua saw their control slip away as Suva fought back. The equalizer came from midfielder David Low, who capitalized on a moment of indecision in the Navua defense shortly after the second half began. Just nine minutes later, Suva scored again through Nemani, who followed up on a passing move and took a shot that unexpectedly slipped through Alui’s legs, sealing Navua’s fate in the tournament.
Navua attempted to respond, with Ratu Suliano coming close to scoring on two occasions, but Suva’s goalkeeper, Josaia Rabonu, was able to thwart their efforts. The match saw several players receive yellow cards, including Suva’s Kishore Kumar and Eliki Tabaki, along with Navua’s Tubuna.
This match showcases the unpredictability of football where momentum can shift rapidly, reminding teams of the importance of maintaining focus throughout the entire game. While disappointing for Navua and their supporters, this match also reflects the competitive spirit of Fijian football and offers hope for future tournaments, where lessons learned can pave the way for better performance and potential success.
In retrospect, teams sometimes emerge stronger after difficult defeats, and Navua’s journey in future competitions may benefit from the experiences gathered in this match.
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