LABASA DOWN REWA AMID CONTROVERSY

SUVA – Labasa gained a massive confidence boost after downing arch-rivals Rewa 1-0 but could face disciplinary action following scenes of acrimony at Subrail Park at the weekend.

Labasa may have beaten Rewa 1-0 via a Taniela Waqa penalty but it is the action off the pitch that could cause headaches for officials and administrators.

Vocal Labasa fans vented their spleen on Rewa officials and players throughout a torrid 90 minutes with allegations those same fans later manhandled Rewa officials and players.

The relationship between Rewa and Labasa fans has been strained for some time after Rewa won a protest at Labasa’s expense for fielding unregistered player in a tie played earlier this season.

Labasa fans focussed most of their attention on Rewa coach Swamy.

Swamy is expected to lodge a complaint with Fiji Football Association (FFA) vice presidents Dewan Chand and Sheik Ibrahim, who were both at the game.

At the final whistle, a mob of Labasa fans rushed to the Rewa bench, where they taunted and manhandled the visitors before police and security officers restored some semblance of order.

It is the second incident of tempers boiling over in recent times following the assault of referee Dhirend Kewal during the Battle of the Giants (BoG) tournament by Suva players.

The eruption of abuse and violence could now result in Labasa losing its privileges of hosting home games.

Elsewhere, former Fiji international striker Ravuama Madigi got his Nadi coaching tenure off to the perfect start with a 2-1 win over Lautoka.

Madigi, who signed on with Nadi on Thursday, has experienced success with all of the teams he has coached.

Modest by nature, its clear he still expects this to continue with his new charges.

“It’s just a start and we will see how things go with Nadi but this is a very good result” Madigi said.

Former Fiji international Thomas Robert helped get Madigi’s era off to a stormer as he scored two classic goals. 

Robert surprised Lautoka goalkeeper Laisenia Tuba by rifling a left footer past the veteran gloveman to open the scoring in the 15th minute.

Then moments before halftime Robert exposed the Lautoka defence after a costly and unforced defensive blunder.

Nadi goalkeeper Benaminio Mateinaqara’s long clearance was allowed to bounce inside the Lautoka’s defensive territory.

Robert outpaced the statuesque Lautoka defenders and saw Tuba way out of his ground.

The Nadi captain calmly lobbed the ball over the stranded and bemused Tuba from outside the box to give Nadi a handy lead.

Tavua import Sanaila Dakaica was superb in defence for Nadi.

He denied Lautoka a golden opportunity clearing Samuela Drudru’s drive off the line.

In the second half referee Ravitesh Behari awarded Lautoka a penalty after adjudging Ravikash Narayan handled the ball inside the box.

Jone Vono Junior placed the ball to the back of the net despite a frantic diving effort by Mateinaqara.

Nadroga will play in the National Soccer League promotion-relegation series for the third successive season after going down to Tavua 2-1 the final Bottom Four series at home on Saturday.

The loss sees the side being handed the wooden spoon position.

Sachin Krishna was the hero for Farmers Tavua scoring the winner late in the match.

Meli Codro put the visitors up in the 20th minute.

Nadroga equalised from the penalty spot before half time.

Archie Watkins Junior slotted in the penalty.

In the dying stages of the match Krishna spotted Nadroga goalkeeper Pramesh Prasad off his line and lobbed the ball over his head to seal the win.

Navua beat Nasinu 4-1 in another match.

FIJI NATIONAL SOCCER LEAGUE

Standings 15.09.08