Baleinuku: We’ll Only Get Better

The Nadi football side ended Labasa’s unbeaten run in the Digicel Premier League with a 1-0 win at the ANZ Stadium, Suva, yesterday.

Rookie goalkeeper Tevita Rativa was the star of Nadi’s win after newly appointed head coach Vil­iame Toma and assistant coach Emosi Baleinuku took over last week.

Speaking to SUNsports Balein­uku said things are turning out well.

“We came here for a mission and we achieved it and hats off to the boys for their hard work,” he said.

“Toma knows how to deal with the team and he just fine tuned the players.

“We are still working in pro­gressing the team. The players had to dig deep and that paved the way for us.”

What happened: Nadi started the game with a 5-3-2 formation as they attacked the Labasa goal mouth as they had four shots at goal.

Labasa goalkeeper Akuila Mataisuva worked tirelessly to stop Nadi from scoring.

Both teams tried to play fast pace football but instead gave away free kicks.

Nadi had a goal scoring oppor­tunity in the 36th minute when striker Sakaraia Naisua had only Mataisuva to beat but shot wide.

Halftime: Labasa 0-0 Nadi

Both teams started came out fir­ing in the first 15minutes of the second half.

Labasa striker Sioame Kubu missed a golden opportunity as Rativa palmed the ball away.

Nadi sent in substitute striker Napolioni Qasevakatini who rat­tled the Labasa defence. In the 65th minute Nadi’s Tuiba Baitra­tu slammed the ball past Matai­suva for the win.

Meanwhile, on Friday night, La­basa beat Navua 2-1 in their DPL clash. Labasa’s goals were scored by Siotame Kubu and Taniela Waqa.

Labasa: Akuila Mataisuva, Lino Iliesa, Nemani Dolodai, SIotame Kubu, Jone Naraba, Pawan Sin­gh, Apenisa Anare, Lekima Gon­erau, Iliesa Vulimainavuso, Tan­iela Waqa, Rajiv Sharma

Nadi: Tevita Rativa, Eshan Ku­mar, Christopher Kumar, Wil­liam Valentine, Patrick Ralulu, Beniamino Lebatavatava, Ame Votoniu, Tuiba Batiratu, Vuniuci Tikomaimereke, Serevi Waqa, Sa­karaia Naisua.

Referee: Vikash Reddy