In a thrilling conclusion to the 2024 FMF Inter District Championship, Rakiraki clinched the Senior Division title by defeating Dreketi 8-7 in a penalty shootout today in Lautoka. The decisive moment came when sweeper-cum-goalkeeper Krishneel Raju made a critical save, marking a peak achievement in his playing career.
Following the match, the 30-year-old expressed his elation, crediting his coach and teammates for their confidence in him. “I used to play goalkeeper before, and the Coach knew and had confidence in me and 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 shared. He reflected on Rakiraki’s previous championship win in 2016, emphasizing the importance of delivering a victory for their district.
Rakiraki’s coach and president, Shalvin Ram, shared his pride in the team’s perseverance throughout a challenging season. “We had many ups and downs but stayed together as a team and believed in one goal and one mission, which was to win the IDC and make our families and people of Ra proud,” he stated.
The final match was played under sweltering heat, with neither team managing to score during regular and extra time. The intensity carried into the penalty shootout, where both sides stumbled on several attempts before Rakiraki’s Sandeep Ram converted, allowing Raju to seal the win with his crucial save.
As a result, Rakiraki walked away with a prize of $3,500, while Dreketi received $1,500 for their efforts in reaching the final.