Defending champion Lau­toka booked their spot in the grand final of the 2018 Courts Inter-District Champi­onship after a thrilling come­back in the second half to beat Jack’s Nadi 3-1 last night.

Lautoka’s key man Benjamin Totori who was instrumental for the sugar city side told SUN­sports their aim is to defend the title.

“Our goal was to win the semi­final as we really want to defend our title,” the Solomon Islands football captain said.

“We missed out on the Voda­fone Fiji FACT and INKK Mobile Battle of the Giants tournament.

“When we were down by a goal in the first half I told the boys to be positive because if we have a positive mindset, we will score,” Totori said.

The Men-In-Blue lifted the in­tensity in the second half as Nadi lost their key man and goal scorer Rusiate Matererega due to injury.

Matererega scored Nadi’s goal in the first half which gave them a 1-0 lead at halftime. His ab­sence was felt in the second half as Lautoka disrupted all their plans and shut them out.

Lautoka fought hard and were rewarded with two goals within five minutes an own goal and a strike by Jone Vesikula.

They continued the momentum and Totori nailed the final goal after his kick sailed past goal­keeper Vereti Dickson for the 3-1 victory.

Big play: Nadi played an attack­ing game in the first half and came close to scoring a num­ber of times which could have turned the game around.

Star turn; Lautoka turned ta­bles around in the second half with good tactical play.

Comments: Totori said: “Our message was to get out there and give everything.”

Nadi head coach Babs Khan said; “We started well but when we lost Rusi, things fell apart for us.”

– Edited by Osea Bola

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