Nadi and Nasinu missed a good chance to cement their places in the semi-finals af­ter drawing 1-1 at the Vodafone Fiji FACT in Lautoka’s Churchill Park yesterday.

A 65th minute goal by Nadi’s Ru­siate Matereraga was cancelled out by a strike from Nasinu midfielder Manasa Levaci as both teams fin­ished the match with 10-men.

Nasinu’s Nasoni Mereke and Na­di’s Rupeni Rabici were sent off in the 24th minute of the game for re­peated foul play.

A win for either team would have significantly boosted their chances of playing in next week’s knockout round.

But the draw saw Nasinu, who ear­lier lost 3-0 to Rewa and held Ba 2-2, eliminated from the competition.

Nasinu had the better chances of the two teams, with forward Jone Naraba missing a glorious chance in the 44th minute after he was set up by Isikeli Ratucava.

Both teams were locked nil-all at half-time.

Matererega’s penalty had the Nadi fans dreaming of semi-final after what has been a mixed season for the westerners, but Nasinu deserv­edly equalised some time later.

Nadi’s Jeshal Kumar came close to adding Nadi’s second goal but his driven shot went harmlessly wide.

COMMENTS

Nadi coach Pranesh Amarsee said: “I am very disappointed with this game because we should have won.

“The draw was because of our mistakes, we gave away too many fouls and free kicks and we missed scoring opportunities.

“If we had put in all the chances we had the results would have been different and we would have won the game.”

Edited by Sheldon Chanel

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