A LAST minute $10,000 sign-on fee was among the records broken as Navua beat Labasa 1-0 to win its second FACT title over the weekend.
Former Nadroga striker Epeli Saukuru, 19, was the hero as he nailed the winner for Southern Forest Navua in the 28th minute.
Saukuru, hailed as the next super star of Fiji soccer had been paid for and signed on only hours before his deft moment of glory.
Although not a record, the manner and speed of his transfer adds a new dimension to Fiji soccer’s embrace of semi-professionalism.
"I just can’t describe the feeling of being able to get the win in only my second match for Navua," Saukuru said as wild celebrations broke after the Fiji Bitter-sponsored tournament ended on Prince Charles Park, leaving the Vodafone-sponsored Labasa side in despair.
The bubbly flowed as the river delta district ended the torment of never having won a tournament on the Western soil.
Navua’s 1-0 regulation time victory made it the first Southern district to clinch a title in the burning West since 2003.
The title was Navua’s third major tournament. It won the FACT in 2003 and the Battle of the Giants in 2005.
"This victory has been made sweeter as we have won it on the Western soil," association president and Southern Forest owner Anil Sharma said.
"We will hold an urgent meeting with the executives to see what and how our celebrations will be like."
Labasa started the match on a high note and Maciu Dunadamu had the first chance of scoring.
Mahen Lal came in from offside position played the ball to Dunadanu who drove towards the goalmouth.
The ball was parried by Tamanisau in the path of Dunadamu but he failed to guide it to the back of the net.
Navua coach Gurjreet Singh stood up to complain to fourth official Leone Rakoroi that the referee’s assistant had lifted his flag for the off side but put it down after Lal ran back. In the 19th minute fRajneel Chand and Salesh Kumar both missed sitters from two metres out with the ball going across the face of the goal mouth.
Five minutes later Labasa received a free-kick. From 25 metres out Apisolome Turuva’s low pile drive went wide.
Navua found the opener in the 28th minute.
A long throw in from Siga Ali was miss-timed by the Labasa defenders. Smith jumped high to nod the ball but to no avail.
The ball bounced onto the feet of Saukuru who easily slotted the ball in past Labasa goalkeeper Shamal Kumar.
Navua led 1-0 at the break. In the 36th minute Meneusi Senibuli sent in a timely cross inside the Navua box.
Replacement Jope Lomu was at the end of the cross but nodded wide.
Navua on the counter attack found an unmarked Saukuru who back heeled the ball to Smith.
The Navua striker played it back to Saukuru but his attempt was blocked.
Navua could have doubled its advantage in the 43rd minute after a powerful drive by Siga Ali from 35 metres clipped the Labasa crossbar with goalie Kumar out of his ground.
The southerners kept up the pressure making in roads deep to Labasa territory.
Seveci Rokotakala controlled the ball and made his way inside the box beating two Labasa defenders.
His cross from acute angle was cut out for a corner kick.
Referee Bobby Dave dished out his first yellow card in the in the 55th minute booking Labasa’s Samu Kautoga. Labasa’s new recruit Senibuli had the final chance of equalising but his lob was tipped over the cross bar by Tamanisau.
Labasa: Shamal Kumar, Sandip Nair, Taniela Waqa, Apisolome Turuva, Meneusi Senibuli, Henry Dyer, Mahen Lal, Pita Bolaitoga (c), Dinesh Mudaliar, Maciu Dunadamu, Samu Kautoga.
Navua: Simione Tamanisau, Pene Erenio (c), Usaia Tadu, Rajneel Chand, Siga Ali, Salesh Kumar, Seveci Rokotakala, Pranil Chand, Simione Maikali, Apisai Smith, Epeli Saukuru.