Zibraaz Sahib’s prolific penalty record continued yesterday as he slotted in two for his Oceania Waters Lautoka in the crucial 2-1 win over Labasa at Churchill Park.

Playing in front of close to 4000 fans in the Vodafone Premier League match, the Blues continued their unbeaten run and pushed them to within one win to claim the league title and a spot in the Oceania Football Confederation’s Champions League.

The win was also special as Lautoka Football president Abdul Kadar said the win was dedicated to injured striker Mohammed Shazil.  He sustained a fractured leg during the match against Dreketi on Friday night.

Lautoka lost Dave Radriqai to a second yellow card in a match that was high tempo throughout.

The first spell was evenly matched with Lautoka’s attack of Valerio Nawatu, Osea Vakatalesau and backed up by Samuela Drudru and Siotame Kubu was kept at bay by the Labasa defence under the command of Taniela Waqa.

With the teams tied 0-0 at halftime and with six players already on yellow card, the physical confrontation was obvious.

Labasa however drew first blood in the 47th minute when a blunder in the Lautoka defence saw an unmarked Jonetani Buksh beat a diving Beniamino Mateniqara for the visitors to lead 1-0.

Radriqai was given his marching orders in the 58th minute and suddenly Lautoka looked stumped in a hopeless situation.

Lautoka’s first penalty came in the 68th minute when the ball was handled in the box by Manasa Levaci and Sahib stepped up to the mark to draw the scores level.

Sahib was again on target in the 82nd minute when Drurdru was brought down in the box and Lautoka found themselves with an unexpected victory.

Kadar said they still had Suva, Ba and Rewa to play and they needed to maintain their performance.

He thanked the players’ wives and ladies supporters club for their backing.

Blues coach Kamal Swamy said the team fought back from a goal and man down and that showed the true grit of the team.

Labasa coach Gurjit Singh said he had wanted either a win or draw against Lautoka and was disappointed.

“My boys never capitalised on Lautoka being a man down.”

Singh said they would be aiming to clinch second place in the league.

Edited by Osea Bola

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