The win sees the Delta Tigers add their seventh BOG title to their cabinet in what coach Marika Rodu describes as a well-earned victory.
“We didn’t have a great start but our game plan was totally different from the one we had against Suva in the semi-final,” he says.
“I am speechless and proud of the boys for coming out and doing what we asked them to do. The boys really stood up in every game and we didn’t have the expected start but are glad to be the last team standing.”
The game kicked off in front of the jam-packed stands with Ba dominating the early stages of the match.
Fiji U-20 and U-23 striker Iosefo Verevou kept the fans entertained as Rewa started to turn the table on their opponent. He finally gave them something to really cheer about in the 30th minute as he beat U-20 teammate Misiwani Nairube with a fantastic long-range effort.
The Men in Black fought back strongly in the second half and with 10 minutes left on the clock Avinesh Swamy came within inches of equalising but after beating past Rewa’s defence, was denied by the upright.
Several more chances presented to Ba, but if it wasn’t the post it was the cross bar denying them time and again.
Rewa’s Rodu made a chance late in the match, replacing the goalscorer Verevou with his elder brother Epeli Saukuru, which proved an inspired decision.
Saukuru settled quickly into the match and sealed the win for his side on the 90th minute when he joined his brother on the scoresheet.
Rewa captain Simione Tamanisau said the game went to plan with everyone playing according to instructions.
“In order for the win today we had the game plan which was, for us, to score first and that we did before retaining ball possession to hold the lead,” he explains.
“For us to come in the game as defending champions we needed to make a mark in this tournament as we lost the Fiji Fact final earlier this year, so we needed to win this tournament.
“Hats off to the boys for keeping up their promises which we made.”
The captain says the win was dedicated to their teammate Viliame Bawai who was forced out of the final after breaking his leg in the semi-final against Suva.
Tamanisau won the competition’s Golden Glove award, while Rewa striker Verevou secured the Golden Boot for the five goals he scored during the tournament.
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