Navua Builds Up For Bog Semis With Morale Boosting Win Over Babasiga Lions

Navua Builds up for BOG Semis with morale boosting win over Babasiga Lions.

The Navua men's football team made the perfect build-up towards their Battle of Giants tournament Semi-final, with a clinical win over, Labasa, 1-0.

Labasa ranked higher than Navua on the points table failed to score in this round of the Digicel Fiji Premier League, at Subrail Park, in Labasa, on Saturday.

Navua youth player, Sameer Hussan, grabbed the winner after unleasing a powerful shot inside the 18-yard box after Labasa defense failed to clear.

Coach, Shahid Ali, said the result was a good platform for them to work on for the Battle of Giants tournament semi-final.

When questioned on how Navua are turning Subrail Park into a fortress of success against the host, Ali, said they are always here to win and take league points.

Navua have created a history for themselves by winning back-to-back league games against Labasa in the North.

The Southerners upset the Lions 3-0 last year in the DFPL and this year again they won.

Ali said the game was an evenly contested tie and Labasa also played a good game.

"Labasa played and they had a lot of chances, but, our defense stood tall and did not concede," he indicated.

The humble coach, said after they scored the opener, they opted to tighten their defensive structure.

"Away teams look for atleast a draw at Subrail Park, so a win is great for us".

Discipline and mutual understanding between the players and coaches is working wonders for Navua, Ali said.

"When you have good coachable players, it is easy to organise the defense and today we demonstrated that," he reiterated.

Areas to work for the Navua heading into the BOG: improving their goal scoring chances inside the attacking third and increasing player presence to allow for goals, says Ali.

Speaking to Sunsports, Labasa interim coach, Mohammed Kasim, was a disappointed man.

Kasim said their opponents dominated them in all facets of the game and were the better team.

"Our preparation time was affected and this had an impact on the game".

He said the poor ground conditions and heat factor affected their performance.

When questioned on how preparations are going for their last pool game of the BOG against Ba, Kasim, assured fans, that they would win and meet Navua again in the semis.

"We will come back stronger after this loss," he said.

We questioned the inconsistent performances by Labasa this season at home fixtures, Kasim, said football is such, 'you win some and lose some'.

Players like Labasa midfielder, Ashnil Raju, striker, Christopher Wasasala, Ilaisa Nayasi and Rusiate Doidoi tried their best to penetrate the Navua defense, but, could not find the equaliser.

Feedbacks: sampras.anand@fijisun.com.fj