The Kamal Swamy coached side successfully defended their title but it didn’t come easily with an extra-time goal all that separated them from runners-up Suva.
A long range attempt from Amani Makoe found the back of the net in the first spell of extra time, proving enough for Nadi to retain the silverware.
“The win is for the people of Nadi and everyone who supported the team,” says Swamy.
“We had a plan for the district and the players played their hearts out today.”
Nadi goalkeeper Banaminio Mateinaqara, who was later named Player of the Tournament, was the thorn in the side for Suva as he consistently denied their efforts.
Suva went into the final as the only undefeated side in the competition, including a 1-0 victory over the Jetsetters during the group stage.
Without their playmaker Suva struggled to assert their style on the encounter, and Nadi were also having trouble finding the winning touch in normal time.
Nadi looked the stronger side as the two teams entered the first period of extra time and it wasn’t long before Makoe smashed in what proved to be the match winning goal.
“We knew Suva would eb coming out in the extra time because they don’t want to go to a penalty shootout,” Swamy says.
“We worked on Amani Makow because when he was in front, he was all crowded by Suva defenders so we changed hime to centre back position to come up and take shots and he did.
“It’s not me who has done this as we have the saying in the team and association, we did it.”
Nadi earned their place in the final after a shock 2-0 downing of OFC Champions League finalists Ba FC.
Ba were favourites to wn the encounter but Nadi weren’t giving up the title without a fight. Goals either side of the break to Ame Votoniu and Eliki Ravosai all that were required for Nadi to progress.
For Suva it was an equally tough semi-final against Labasa, with the capital side earning a 2-1 victory. Suva took an early lead before Labasa equalised, but Suva’s Sakaraia Naisua found the back of the net to secure passage for his side.
Nadi president Navneeda Goundar was incredibly pleased to see the senior side restore some local faith in the club.
“After the Champions League everybody rated Nadi as a low team. People used to tease us at the grounds and everywhere but we made a promise to the boy and ourselves to come back and win this tournament,” Goundar says.
In the play-off for third Labasa overthrew Ba to earn a 3-0 victory with goals to Christopher Wasasala, Ashnil Raju and Joseph Mishra securing the podium finish.
In the individual awards, Nadi goalkeeper Benaminio Matainaqara was named Player of the Tournament while Suva captain Ravinesh Karan Singh picked up the Golden Boot.
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