Tailevu/Naitasiri eyes first EPL win

The Tailevu/Naitasiri football team is looking to secure their first win of the Extra Premier League (EPL) competition season against the Stratum Construction Rewa side.

Both teams will feature in round 11 at the National Stadium in Suva today.

Tailevu/Naitasiri head coach Shabneel Prasad said the team has prepared well to challenge Rewa.

“A few of our players will not be available for the match due to suspension,” he said.

Prasad said the suspension would provide opportunity for the other players to step up.

“We are backing on those young talents to come forward and represent their district with pride,” he said.

“Rewa is a good side, but they won’t be getting an easy way forward.”

Prasad requested the Tailevu/Naitasiri fans to continue their support for the team

“They can expect a better match from us as well,” he said.

The Tailevu/Naitasiri team has been working to improve their finishing.

“Due to our inability to score goals, we put a lot of pressure on our defense. We are basically working on our attacking and finishing.”

Prasad has full confidence in his team to qualify for the other two major local tournaments despite missing out on the BiC Fiji FACT tournament.

“We are in competition with the other teams that we can make it to the B.O.G (Battle of the Giants) and IDC (Inter-District Championship) tournaments,” he said.

“I still trust my players.”

Prasad added that the team is motivated to win their first game in the competition.

“We are not counting ourselves out or being unlucky, but we are just trying to get our first win.”

The match kicks-off at 1.30pm.