Lautoka TIV End Six-Year Drought
"Impressively, the Blues who had lost their opening match on Friday (2-1 Hamilton) found a second breath of life from their second pool match and never looked back."
Wednesday 24 April 2019 | 10:08
Lautoka TIV players, officials and supporters celebrate after their 1-0 win over Nadi in final at Churchill Park, Lautoka on April 22, 2019. Photo: Waisea Nasokia
The Zibraaz Sahib captained- Lautoka TIV side were crowned the 92nd Sangam IDC Super Premier champions after a 4-1 penalty shootout win over neighbours Nadi at Churchill Park, Lautoka on Monday night.
Lautoka ended a six-year drought as they last won in 2013 at the same venue.
Impressively, the Blues who had lost their opening match on Friday (2-1 Hamilton) found a second breath of life from their second pool match and never looked back.
Nadi were heading as favourites after a dominant display throughout the tournament only to fall short at the final hurdle.
Both teams headed for the dreaded penalty shootout after locked 1-all at fulltime and two-spells of 10 minutes each of extra time.
Nippy Rahul Krishna opened the scoreboard for Nadi with a header and Praneel Naidu equalised for the home side.
Krishna had a golden opportunity in the second half to score the winner but he missed a clear sitter with the goalmouth at his mercy.
With five minutes remaining Nadi suffered a huge blow when striker Pratikesh Mairiappa was sent off for a late challenge on Edward Joseph.
From the penalty shootout, the Blues scored through Sahib, Muni Sivam,
Both teams headed for the dreaded penalty shootout after locked 1-all at fulltime and two-spells of 10 minutes each of extra time.
Nippy Rahul Krishna opened the scoreboard for Nadi with a header and Praneel Naidu equalised for the home side.
Krishna had a golden opportunity in the second half to score the winner but he missed a clear sitter with the goalmouth at his mercy.
With five minutes remaining Nadi suffered a huge blow when striker Pratikesh Mairiappa was sent off for a late challenge on Edward Joseph.
From the penalty shootout, the Blues scored through Sahib, Muni Sivam, Praneel Naidu before veteran Sailesh ‘Bula’ Sami sealed the match.
Nadi scored through Avinesh Waran Suwamy but the two kickers after that missed.
Sahib said, “Nadi was a good side but our players played their hearts out and never lost hope even when we were a goal down. I was advised to select experienced players for the shootout and they did not disappoint.”
Nadi had the services of Christopher Kumar, Muni Munish, Rajnesh Nadan, Afraaz Ali, Ashneel Kumar, Ravneel Naidu, Dhiraj Kumar, and Shivan Gounder.
PREMIER
Saweni/ Dreketi won the Premier division after beating Valley 1-0. Their lone goal came from the boots of Manish Khanna who received a cross from Ravi Kant. Majority of the players were former student of Pt Vishnu Deo Memorial College.
Both teams have been promoted to the Super Premier while Nasinu TIV will host the 2020 edition in Suva.
RESULTS
Semifinals- Premier: Saweni/Dreketi 2-1 Tabicola, Valley 3-0 Varoko; Super Premier: Nadi 4-0 Botany, Lautoka 3-2 Hamilton.
Finals- Masters: Lautoka 1-0 Manukau Masters
Edited by Leone Cabenatabua
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