Tailevu/Naitasiri coach confident that they will defeat Rewa

Tailevu/Naitasiri head coach Shabneel Prasad is confident his youthful side can cause an upset against Rewa in their Extra Premier League match on Sunday.

The match will be played at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori, with kick‑off scheduled for 3pm.

“We’ve been training for the past two weeks,” Prasad said. “We played a few friendly matches, and the players also played against each other.”

He said the coaching staff had been working tirelessly to polish the team’s defence and finishing.

“I think the team is gelling well, especially the new players recruited this season,” he said. “We are expecting a good match from a team like Rewa because they are the league defending champions, and they recently won the CVC (Champion versus Champion) as well.”

Prasad said his team had prepared well and would do their best to provide stiff competition.

“Our players are mostly cool and calm under pressure in terms of defence,” he said. “We have worked well in all areas.”

He added that the coaching staff had devised a game plan to contain Rewa.

“We were the premier division winners last year, so we have to create a mark,” he said.

Prasad noted that striker Jason Dau would be a key player heading into the match.

“Jason Dau has proven his worth in the Premier Division, and he has represented Fiji in the Under‑17 World Cup,” he said.

Dau, who won the Senior League Player of the Year award, is expected to be instrumental for Tailevu/Naitasiri against Rewa.

Prasad encouraged supporters to turn up in numbers on Sunday, adding, “It’ll be a good match to watch.”