The commitment by players’ wives has been attributed to the General Machinery Lautoka football side’s success in winning the Pillay’s Garment Champion versus Champion Series yesterday.

Lautoka Football president Abdul Kadar said he was humbled by the support shown by the wives and family members of the players throughout the season.

The Lautoka side held Ba to a 0-0 draw in the second leg of the series at Churchill Park after they had won the first clash 1-0 last Friday night.

“The wives and family members of the players brought breakfast and sat with the players and officials as they celebrated Palm Sunday,” he said.

For Kadar this is the second title under his reign after Lautoka secured the Battle of the Giants last year and Lautoka FA’s joy will see an additional $5000 added to the prize money of $5000 to be shared amongst the players.

What happened: Both teams came into the match determined to win although Lautoka only needed a draw to secure the series. Ba came out with vigour and seemed to move the ball with ease as they looked to score early.

However, Lautoka played a more defensive game throughout although they had some good chances with Jone Vono Jnr, Mohammed Shazil and Kavaia Rawaqa leading the charge upfront. Ba striking duo of Meli Codro and Saula Waqa also had chances but could not capitalised on it.

Comment: Lautoka coach Kamal Swamy was happy with his players’ performance despite having to do without star player Zibraaz Sahib who copped a hamstring injury during training.

“We had a plan to counter Ba and it worked.”

A disappointed Ba coach Imdaad Ali said: “If the standard of refereeing does not improve, football in Fiji will remain the same.”

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

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