The Tailevu Naitasiri football team demonstrated evident struggles during their recent match, suffering a 1-2 defeat to Navua in round 16 of the Digicel Fiji Premier League. The game was held at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori on Sunday, further highlighting the team’s challenges as they currently sit in ninth place.
Head coach Priyant Manu expressed his disappointment regarding the team’s performance, pointing out issues with concentration and morale among the players. The sudden absence of three senior players just hours before the match added to the team’s difficulties.
“It was a disappointing performance; we knew what we had to do, but I think the boys lost hope and focus,” Manu stated. “We had issues as three of our key players stepped down just 11 hours before the game, making it hard for us to find replacements.”
Despite having control for portions of the match, the team’s inability to convert opportunities into goals led to an early deficit, negatively impacting their morale. “The boys were demoralized after conceding a very easy goal in the first half, and their confidence kept dwindling. They showed some fight in the second half, but we could not equalize,” Manu added.
As they prepare for their next match against Nadroga, Manu emphasized the importance of improving their defensive strategies and ball movement to achieve a better result. While the recent loss was a setback, he remains hopeful about the team’s potential and is determined to recover in the upcoming game.
Manu encouraged fans to keep supporting the team and to trust their capabilities, especially given the recent introduction of new players. The next fixture pits Nadroga against Tailevu Naitasiri at 1 PM this Sunday at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka.
In other matches scheduled for the same day at 3 PM, Ba will host Labasa at the Fiji FA Academy Ground, Nadi will take on Rewa at Prince Charles Park, Lautoka will face Suva at Churchill Park, and Navua will play against Nasinu at the Uprising Sports Complex in Pacific Harbour.