Labasa takes early lead

The Labasa football team has taken an early lead on the Extra Premier League points.

This followed their big 5-0 win over Nadroga at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka, last Sunday.

Former Lautoka striker Aporosa Yada made an immediate impact on his debut, scoring a brace, while France Catarogo also netted twice. Nadroga’s misery was compounded by an own goal, completing the five-goal tally for the Babasiga Lions.

With a win and a draw, Labasa now sit on four points, level with Ba, Suva, Nasinu, Nadi and Lautoka, but their superior goal difference places them at the top of the table.

One of the feature matches of the third round saw Tagimoucia Nadi hold Dayal’s Sawmillers Ba to a 1–1 draw at King Charles Park in Nadi. The Men-in-Black took the lead through a Praneel Naidu free kick, but Nadi import Jimson Abana struck in the dying minutes to salvage a point for the hosts. Ba currently sit second on the table, while Nadi occupy sixth place on goal difference.

At Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori, Lautoka produced a major upset, defeating the defending champions, Stratum Rewa FC, 3–2.

Arush Lal opened the scoring in the third minute for Rewa before Zibraaz Sahib equalised for Lautoka before halftime.

Lautoka regained control in the second half with Sailosi Naicegu restoring the lead before Shiva Pillay extended it further.

Kavaia Rawaqa pulled one back for the Delta Tigers in injury time, but it was not enough to deny Lautoka the victory. Lautoka now sit fifth, while Rewa drop to seventh.

At the National Stadium in Suva, the capital side recorded a convincing 3–0 victory over Navua. Suva imports Siotama Kubu and Malakai Lavacake scored in the first half before Fazil Ali sealed the win with the third goal. Suva are currently third on the standings with four points.

At the Uprising sports ground, Nasinu defeated Tailevu/ Naitasiri FC 4–2 in an entertaining encounter. Meli Nacoke, Emmanuel Etim, Bruce Hughes and Nitin Chand scored for Nasinu, while Iosefo Verevou and Apenisa Anare found the net for Tailevu/Naitasiri.

Nasinu now sit in fourth place on the table, while Tailevu/ Naitasiri are in ninth position, and Nadroga remain at the bottom of the standings after three rounds of competition.

With several teams tied on points, the Extra Premier League table remains tightly contested as the season continues to gather momentum.