The Joseph Mishra captained- Nasinu football side earned the giant killer’s tag once again as they upset Jack’s Nadi 1-0 in the INKK Mobile Battle of the Giants at Churchill Park, Lautoka yesterday.

The win saw the Vodafone Fiji FACT champions Nadi bundled out of the tournament while Nasinu stand a good chance of making it to Saturday’s semi-final.

The Southerners will now await the outcome of Rewa’s clash against Lautoka.

The hosts have already qualified but Rewa need to win by three goals to qualify ahead of Nasinu.

One of the heroes of Nasinu’s win was goalkeeper Josaia Ratu who stopped a penalty taken by veteran Nadi defender Ame Votoniu.

The Korovou, Tavua, native told SUNsports that he was confident of stopping the penalty.

“It was my aim to see that we beat Nadi and make it to the semi-final,” the 29-year-old said.

“I moved to Nasinu as there were too many goalkeepers coming to Ba.

“I moved away from my family to be with Nasinu and I made a vow that we will play in the semi-final.”

Striker Nasoni Mereke scored Nasinu’s lone goal when his header zoomed past Nadi goalkeeper Vereti Dickson in the 65th minute.

Interim Nasinu coach Tagi Vonolagi was lost for words at the sound of the final whistle.

“We only trained for a day this week because of the adverse weather conditions in Suva but the players gave their 100 percent today,” he said.

The former national football captain said their game plan was to play the balls on the flanks.

“We had to keep a close watch on Nadi striker Rusi (Rusiate Matarerega) and our defence stood their ground especially Usaia Tadu, who is the oldest player in the tournament.”

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

Feedback: waisean@fijisun.com.fj