The Marika Rodu-coached Rewa side is going to represent Fiji to the Oceania Champions League after their 4-0 win over Lautoka at the ANZ Stadium, Suva, yesterday.

Rodu said the win was possible through divine intervention.

“There was a lot of positive vibes among the players before the game. That’s our secret,” he said.

But a setback for the Delta Tigers was a scuffle between Bruce Hughes and Kolinio Sivoki, which resulted in both players getting the red card.

Hughes had been Rewa’s unsung hero as he set-up two goals and the red card would affect his start in the OCL.

What happened: Rewa started strongly as they dominated territory as the Lautoka side took time to settle down.

The Delta Tigers exploited a weakness on the right side of Lautoka’s defensive line with midfielder Afraz Ali falling back to cover for Epeli Leiroti.

Superb goalkeeping from Ishmael Pole stopped Rewa from scoring an early goal due to the reluctance of the Lautoka defenders to pressure the opposition.

In the 24th minute a cross from Hughes was not cleared away by Ali allowing striker Rusiate Matererega to tap in Rewa’s opening goal.

Their joy was almost short-lived when Sairusi Nalauabu set-up Joses Nawo who rifled the ball in but a retreating Rewa defender cleared it away.

The Blues began to dictate play but it was the attitude of their defenders that let them down.

In the 36th minute a thundering kick by Matererega was tapped away for Pole and following up was Alick Worworbu who smacked in their second goal.

Halftime: Rewa 2-0 Lautoka.

Rewa struck again at the start of the second half when Kavaia Rawaqa’s cornerkick was headed in by Materega to make it 3-0.

He became the OFC playoffs leading goal scorer.

Lautoka came back firing but the Rewa defence led by Gabirieli Matanisiga stood tall.

During the final stages of the match it was Hughes who sneaked a pass to replacement striker Samuela Nabenia who scored their fourth goal.

Comment: Lautoka coach Aginesh Prasad said: “It was something I did not expect this but congraulations to Rewa.”

Line-up

Rewa: Mohammed Alam, Peniame Drova, Ivan Kumar, Patrick Joseph, Kishan Sami, Bruce Hughes, Gabrieli Matanisiga, Josaia Sela, Kavaia Rawaqa, Alick Worworbu, Rusiate Matererega

Lautoka: Ishmael Pole, Epeli Leiroti, Zibraaz Sahib, Afraz Ali, Sitiveni Cavuilagi, Raymond Gunemba, Edward Aaron, Muni Shivam Naidu, Sairusi Nalaubu, Joses Nawo, Kolinio Sivoki

DIGICEL FIJIAN UNDER-19 SQUAD

Samuela Navoce (Suva), Joel Dayal (Suva), Geary Kubu (Nasinu), Sterling Vasconcellos (Lautoka), Pawan Singh (Labasa), Sailosi Tawake (Labasa), Mohammed Fataul (Seaqaqa), Peter Ravitisai (UK), Clarence Hussain (Nasinu), Junior Dekedeke (Lautoka), Gulam Razool (Lautoka), Mozeel Mohammed (Ba), Mohammed Mustafa (Australia), Oliver McFadyan (UK), Sailasa Ratu (Tavua), Abdullah Aiyas (Australia), Caleb Aaron Prasad (NZ), Zoheb Rahim (Nadroga), Faazil Faizul Ali (Ba), Nabil Begg (Ba), Melvin Mani (Navua), Peniasi Rotidara (Suva), Isikeli Sevanaia (Nadroga), Joji Vuakaca (Labasa), Aydin Mustahib (NZ).

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