The troubles within the Tailevu Naitasiri team were highlighted in their recent 1-2 defeat against Navua during round 16 of the Digicel Fiji Premier League. The match occurred at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori on Sunday, further showcasing the team’s struggles as they currently sit in ninth place.
Head coach Priyant Manu expressed his disappointment in the team’s performance, attributing it to a lack of focus and hope among the players. The team’s difficulties were compounded by the last-minute withdrawal of three senior players just hours before the match.
“It was a disappointing performance. We knew what we had to do, but I think the boys lost hope and concentration,” said Manu. “We faced issues because three of our senior players stepped down only 11 hours before the match, which created a last-minute scramble for replacements.”
Despite controlling significant portions of the game, Tailevu Naitasiri had trouble finding the back of the net and fell behind early, which impacted team morale. “The boys were demoralized when we conceded an easy goal in the first half, and the morale continued to drop. There was a good fight in the second half, but we could not equalize.”
As they prepare for their next match against Nadroga, Manu stressed the importance of enhancing defensive strategies and improving ball movement to achieve a better result.
Although the loss represents a setback, the coach remains hopeful about the team’s prospects and is determined to recover in the next game. He urged fans to continue their support and to trust in the players’ abilities, especially with the inclusion of new players at the last minute.
The upcoming match against Nadroga is scheduled for 1 PM this Sunday at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka. Additionally, several other matches are set to take place, including Ba hosting Labasa at the Fiji FA Academy Grounds in Ba, Nadi facing Rewa at Prince Charles Park, Lautoka taking on Suva at Churchill Park, and Navua going up against Nasinu at the Uprising Sports Complex in Pacific Harbour.