Babasiga Lions still at the top

The road to redemption and building a constant winning culture has started for the Labasa men’s football side.

This was after their 3-1 win over Nadi in the third round of the Extra Premier League clash at Subrail Park last Saturday. The win sees Labasa remain at the top of the points table with seven points.

Labasa captain, Akeimi Ralulu, said their progression to the standard they want to achieve has begun.

They produced a stellar performance as Melvin Mani, France Catarogo and veteran, Taniela Waqa, scored respectively.

Ralulu said they overcame constant criticism from fans, which motivated them to prove them wrong through their performance.

Ralulu said their overseas players have settled down.

“Fans say there is no use in bringing strikers from overseas but I kept telling them to keep the faith. These guys will click and they have clicked since the Nadroga game,” he said.

Ralulu copped a red card against Nadi and he admitted that he needs to improve on his discipline.

“We scored five against Nadroga and three against Nadi,” he said.

Ralulu said their players executed the game plan well and managed to contain Nadi striker Jimson Abana.

“Abana was the main target wand he knew Nadi will utilise his speed and strong physicality to overpower our defence,” he said.

However, there are a lot of areas to work on such as midfield and good transition play.

Veteran Labasa player, Taniela Waqa, scored the third goal and showed his class as he controlled the ball well.

Nadi coach, Varoon Karan said the loss was due to his player’s poor performance.

He said the players did not execute their game structure properly and this proved costly.

He said long travel logistics and their delayed arrival into Labasa at 10:30am on Saturday affected their ability to settle down for the game.

Karan said the poor ground conditions impacted their game plan because they could not hold on to the ball for longer periods.

“My half-time message was simple to control possession and use it to launch attacks, this plan did not work out well,” he added.

Rewa survives

Defending Premier League champions Rewa fought from behind to beat Nasinu 2-1 at Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori, yesterday.

After a scoreless first half, Nasinu took the lead when Bruce Hughes scored from the penalty spot. The goal woke up the Delta Tigers as they equalised through Epeli Valevou before Patrick Joseph sealed the win from a well-placed penalty kick.

Stallions power

Still at Ratu Cakobau Park, hosts Tailevu/Naitasiri was held to a 3-3 draw by Nadroga yesterday.

Tailevu Naitasiri led 2-1 at halftime with goals from Sakiusa Saqiri and Ravinesh Karan Singh while Dev Raj scored Nadroga’s lone goal. In the second half Solomone Ravonokula extended Tailevu/Naitasiri lead to 3-1 from a well- placed kick. Not be outdone, Nadroga struck back with Solomone Tuicakau and Ratu Volavola scoring two late goals to seal the draw.

Ba’s day

A late penalty by Dave Radrigai was not enough to save Suva as the went down 2-1 to Ba yesterday. Playing at the Four R Stadium, Ba had taken a handy 2-0 lead with goals from Peceli Sukabula and Etonia Dogalau.

Blues lucky escape

Lanky Epeli Leiroti scored from a penalty to save hosts Lautoka as they drew 1-1 against Navua at Churchill Park yesterday. Navua had taken a 1-0 lead from a Usaia Tilivarua goal.