The Lautoka football team made a sharp improvement to their game from last Friday and although going down 3-0 to Team Wellington at Churchill Park yesterday.

For Lautoka Football Association president, Abdul Kadar, even though they lost both matches without scoring a goal, the outing was needed to test out the rest of the squad members as the OFC Champions League draws closer.

The New Zealand champions scored all three goals in the first spell and could not find the back of the net in the second spell.

POSITIONAL CHANGES

Lautoka shifted veteran striker Osea Vakatelesau to midfield alongside Zibraaz Sahib and this proved the difference in Lautoka’s game from Friday.

However, Team Wellington was still a class act with sweeping attacks from both flanks which caught Lautoka on wrong foot on numerous occasions.

The visitors’ first goal came from the boot of Louis Fenton with John Gulley and Mario Barcia netting the other two past goalkeeper Beniamino Mateinaqara.

BUILD-UP

Kadar said with five of the senior players in the national squad, the younger players stood up and produced some good football.

“This is all part of our build-up and as we go along we will get to finalise our squad for the championship.”

“The scores in both matches showed that we have a lot of work to do if we are to compete at that level.

“We need to rectify the mistakes now and prepare well rather than enter the O-League riding on our victories in the national league and the IDC.”

Kadar would not say whether they would be bringing in other players and this would have to be discussed between the management and coaching staff.

“I thank Team Wellington for giving their time to play two matches against Lautoka.”

Incidentally Team Wellington have beaten Auckland City for the New Zealand League Championship in the past two years.

“We are very honoured to be invited by Lautoka Football and the acknowledge the work done by Fiji Football for us to be here,” Team Wellington head coach Jose Figueira said.

“It is a good build up for the O-League next year.

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

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