Navua’s inaugural match in the Pacific Community Cup ended on a sour note as they faced a 2-1 defeat against AuFFI All Stars at Churchill Park in Lautoka. The team, coached by Saiyad Ali, experienced frustration early in the game when a defensive miscommunication led to Kolinio Sivoki inadvertently scoring an own goal in the fifth minute.
Despite trailing 1-0 at halftime, Navua showcased resilience in the second half. Their efforts were rewarded when they earned a penalty in the dying moments of the match. Sivoki, looking to redeem himself, successfully converted the penalty to equalize the score.
However, Navua’s joy was short-lived. Just after the restart, AuFFI All Stars responded swiftly, with guest player Jalil Regague netting the decisive goal, sealing Navua’s fate.
Looking ahead, Navua is set to take on the host team, Lautoka, tomorrow at 8:15 PM. Meanwhile, the AuFFI All Stars will match up against the Manukau All Stars at 7 PM.
Although this match brought disappointment for Navua, their second-half performance reflects their potential and determination. With a quick turnaround, they have the opportunity to regroup and come back stronger in their next match.
Summary: Navua lost 2-1 to AuFFI All Stars in their first Pacific Community Cup match, conceding an early own goal and a late winner, despite showing resilience with a late equalizer. They will face Lautoka next.
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