Minnows Navua grabbed a 1-1 draw against favourites Rewa in their Digicel Pre­mier League clash at the Uprising Sports Centre in Pacific Harbour, Deuba, yesterday.

This draw has seen the Delta Tigers fall to second place in the DPL points ta­ble while Suva have claimed the top spot.

Rewa played with 10-man after substitute Misaele Draunibaka was red carded

Speaking to SUNsports Na­vua assistant coach Sailosi Danford said they are hap­py to get a point after losing three matches.

“Our last win was against Labasa and today (yester­day) the boys stood up to the test,” he said.

“We came for the win but we will settle for a draw.

“The boys were reminded to stay focused on the game and play to the last whis­tle.”

Danford said the players were fit and they played their hearts out.

What happened: Rewa struggled to adapt to the ar­tificial pitch.

Both teams had equal op­portunities to score goals but could not find the mark.

Rewa midfielder Bruce Hughes missed a goal scor­ing opportunity in the 40th minute.

Five minutes later, he set up Rusiate Matirerega to score Rewa’s goal.

Halftime: Navua 0-1 Rewa

Navua came out firing in the second half as they were desperate to score the equaliser.

Backed by their vocal sup­porters, the Navua players held their composure as they played attacking foot­ball.

A blunder by Rewa goal­keeper Emori Ragata from a Navua freekick allowed Matthew Charitar to socre the equaliser in the 59th minute.

Line-up

Navua: Senirusi Bokini, Simione Damuni, Monit Chand, Arami Manuman­ubai, Vineet Chand, Netani Doli, Isake Naduvu, Mosese Balenagaga, Vinal Prasad, Matthew Charitar, Samir Hussain

Rewa; Emori Ragata, Pe­niame Drova, Ivan Kumar, Abbu Zahid, Neemish Pras­ad, Bruce Hughes, Gabrieli Matanisiga, Alick Worwor­bu, Kavaia Rawaqa, Rusiate Matererega.

Referee: Kavitesh Behari

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