We Can’t Adapt To This Artificial Turf, Says Coach

The Labasa football coach Ravneel Pratap said playing on the artificial turf at the Uprising Sports Centre in Pacific Harbour was the reason behind their 0-0 draw against Navua in the Digicel Premier League clash yesterday.

Speaking to SUNsports Pratap said his players were not used to playing the artificial pitch.

“It’s slippery and I believe that is the reason we gave away so many free kicks,” he said.

“The weather wasn’t on our side because it was slippery and we couldn’t play our style of football. We had our chances but we failed to turn it into points and that is a worrying factor.”

Pratap said from this week they would be working on their attack and also the need to stay discipline and not to give away freekicks.

“It’s small things like this that can cause us a game,” he added.

Meanwhile, Navua coach Amit Prakash believed they could have won the match if they had converted their chances.

“We had a lot of opportunities in the match but we missed,” he said.

“Our defence stood tall at the back. This was Navua’s weather but we failed to control the game.”

Navua- Jayshneel Sivan, Vinak Kumar, Kritesh Kumar, Monit Chand, Arami Manumanubai, Vineet Chand, Netani Doli, Mosese Balenagaga, Matthew Charitar, Apisai Smith, Suliano Doli

Labasa: Akuila Mateisuva, Lino Iliesa, Sekove Naivakananumi, Ilaisa Nayasi, Jone Naraba, Ilisoni Lolaivalu, Ashnil Raju, Apenisa Anare, Akeimi Ralulu, Ilisoni Tuinawaivuvu, Taniela Waqa

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

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