Nasinu No Match For Lautoka

The Poasa Bainivalu- captained Lautoka football side have taken an early lead in the Vodafone Premier League standings after a 6-0 win over Nasinu at Churchill Park, Lautoka yesterday.

Vanuatu international Alex Saniel and national rep Dave Radrigai got a double each, while Samuela Gavo and Mohammed Shazil scored as well.

The Blues saw the return of Shamil Rao, Radrigai and Viliame Tabucola in goal replacing Beniamino Mateinaqara, who has moved to Ba.

Nasinu had the services of former Rewa goalkeeper Epeli Loaniceva, Tomasi Uculoa and Leone Damudamu.

They will have to work hard this season after being thoroughly outmatched by a fit-looking Lautoka side.

The home side took the lead in the 14th minute when Saniel’s rifled a shot past goalkeeper Loaniceva which hit the post and went in.

Samuela Gavo extended the lead to 2-0 with his shot in the 26th minute.

Saniel scored his second goal in the 43rd minute to make it 3-0.

Half-time: Lautoka 3-0 Nasinu.

In the second half, the Blues extended their lead with a penalty by former Ba striker Shazil.

Radrigai sealed the match with his two goals.

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Lautoka coach Anand Sami said: “We had short training period for this game just six days with the boys.

“They are starting to play better football. I have a young but good squad. It is more like a development team.

“We are still working hard. Definitely in the attacking third I would like to see more improvement.

“The fitness of the players and the combination of play.

“I want the players to know how to play football with the shape and will work on the fitness later.”

Nasinu coach Tagi Vonolagi said: “Just the first game there are new boys in the team. Fitness is a factor because we trained for one week.

“We had some key players who did not turn up for the game because of their family commitments.

“We trained with the team during the week which had to play this weekend but had to fill in what we had.

“Credit goes to Lautoka as they are a good side. They utilised all; the opportunities that they had.”

Edited by Sheldon Chanel

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