Jeshal Kumar Seals It For Nadi
Jack’s Nadi strikers Rusiate Matarerega and Jeshal Kumar scored as the side won the 2019 Vodafone Fiji FACT at Churchill Park, Lautoka yesterday.
What Happened: The 10-man Jack’s Nadi edged Suva 2-1 in the final.
Suva’s Filipe Baravilala scored the opener in the 11th minute after some good work by Golden Boot winner Gagame Feni from the left flank.
Halftime: Suva 1-0 Nadi.
Nadi hit back immediately in the 46th minute with Matarerega equalising.
The Green Machine scored the winner in the 51st minute after a misjudged clearance by Suva defender Remueru Tekiate enabled Kumar to seal the win.
Matarerega thanked the supporters for their faith in the team.
“We lost our first pool game but we never lost hope,”he said.
Nadi received $17,000 while Suva settled for $5000.
This was the Green Machine’s fifth FACT title since the tournament inception in 1991.
Comments: Nadi coach Pranesh Amarsee;
“We knew that it was going to be tough. In the first half the players seemed to be lost. In the second half we regrouped and got the result. There are many young players in the team and they have a bright future. I thank the fans for all the support and we owed this win to them.”
Suva coach Saroj Kumar; “My boys were actually very tired. They played extra time against Ba and that took its toll on them. Nadi played much better especially in the second half.
“I’m pleased that the Suva officials allowed me to coach the team in the FACT. We made some mistakes and regret to say that those mistakes cost us.”
Other awards
Day one player of the tournament: Ilimotama Jese (Ba)
Day two: Savenaca Baledrokadroka (Nasinu)
Day three: Gagame Feni (Suva)
Day four: Jeshal Kumar (Nadi)
Day five: Ame Votoniu (Nadi)
Golden boot: Gagame Feni (6 goals) (Suva)
Golden Glove: Vereti Dickson (Nadi)
Player of the tournament: Patrick Neel Joseph (Nadi).
Edited by Osea Bola
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