In a thrilling finale at the 2024 FMF Inter District Championship in Lautoka, Rakiraki triumphed over Dreketi 8-7 in a penalty shootout, thanks to an extraordinary save by sweeper-cum-goalkeeper Krishneel Raju. The 30-year-old athlete expressed his elation after making the decisive save, marking a significant moment in his playing career.
Reflecting on the victory, Raju shared his gratitude for the trust placed in him by the coach and his teammates. “I used to play goalkeeper before, and the Coach had confidence in my abilities. I thank him and the players for their faith and I thank the God Almighty for giving me the strength and guidance,” he stated. Raju also noted the importance of the win, recalling that the team last claimed the title in 2016. “It was about time for us to step up and do our district proud, and I am happy to have helped them achieve this dream,” he added.
Rakiraki’s coach and president, Shalvin Ram, expressed immense pride in his players, highlighting their resilience throughout the season and the tournament. “We had many ups and downs but stayed together as a team, believing in one goal and one mission, which was to win the IDC and make our families and the people of Ra proud,” he remarked.
The match, played in scorching heat, saw no goals during normal or extra time, leading to a dramatic penalty shootout wherein both teams missed several attempts. The turning point came when Sandeep Ram scored for Rakiraki, while Raju successfully saved Dreketi’s final attempt.
As a result of their victory, Rakiraki walked away with $3,500, while Dreketi received $1,500 for their performance in reaching the final.