Striker Maciu Dunadamu was in devastating form as he nailed four goals for Vodafone Labasa in their 7-1 thrashing of Nasinu in the New World National Football League over the weekend.
The win moved the Babasiga Lions top equal with Nadi on the table and sets up an exciting run in for the championship.
The match at Subrail Park was always predicted to be one way traffic and the Babasiga Lions took full advantage of the winless Nasinu outfit.
The Fiji under-23 striker, who was subject to criticism during the Oceania Olympic play-offs last month, has been in good form for the Northerners in the league.
Other goals were scored by Dinesh Mudaliar, Pita Bolaitoga and Thomas Vulivuli.
Labasa coach Bal Sanju Reddy said despite the big score line, he wasn’t happy.
"We could have scored more goals," Reddy said. "We could have scored 10 goals or more but the players got casual in the second half."
Meanwhile Tuimasi Manuca scored the winning goal in Vodafone Ba’s 3-2 victory over Navua.
Manuca was the hero for the Vodafone Ba side which failed to dominate the match in front of its home fans.
The Ba marksman struck the killer blow in the 66th minute after Southern Forest Navua led 2-1 at half time.
It wasn’t the start new Navua coach Gurjeet Singh was hoping for with his players missing a few sitters.
Ba made a blistering opening, moving straight into attack from the kick-off and
Mavaliko Nakama found himself in the clear in the box but his shot went wide.
Ba scored in the third minute through Josaia Bukalidi.
Navua leveled with a goal from Michael Kumar in the 21st minute.
Kumar’s Cyclone club team-mate Praneel Chand shocked Ba fans moment later from a free-kick.
Chand powered home a low pile driver to give the visitors the edge at half time.
Riding on luck, Ba scored at the other end when Avinesh Swamy slammed in a powerful drive to level the scores. Tuimasi pushed Ba ahead in the 66th minute.
In other matches Nadi handed table dwellers Nadroga another loss, winning 4-0.
Kamlesh Krishna struck twice while Olympian Uraia Loki and Tevita Cokocokovata scored a goal each.
Tavua remained winless after a 3-1 drubbing at the hands of Rewa.
New World National Football League Standings:
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
Pts |
Labasa |
8 |
6 |
0 |
2 |
19 |
10 |
+9 |
18 |
Nadi |
8 |
6 |
0 |
2 |
15 |
6 |
+9 |
18 |
Lautoka |
7 |
5 |
0 |
2 |
26 |
7 |
+19 |
15 |
Suva |
7 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
13 |
5 |
+8 |
13 |
Rewa |
7 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
9 |
5 |
+4 |
13 |
Ba |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
3 |
+7 |
9 |
Navua |
7 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
11 |
9 |
+2 |
7 |
Nadroga |
7 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
8 |
22 |
-14 |
7 |
Tavua |
7 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
4 |
17 |
-15 |
0 |
Nasinu |
7 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
3 |
33 |
-30 |
0 |