LAUTOKA RETAINS LEAD AFTER SINKING NAVUA

Lautoka has retained its lead in the New World National Football League in Fiji after they defeated Navua 2-1 on Saturday at Thompson Park.

It was Navua’s first loss of the season and now drops them two points off the pace of first place Lautoka.

Fiji Olympian Malakai Waqa opened the scoring for Lautoka and striker Jone Vono Junior added to the tally. Navua replied with a goal through Fiji U23 defender Rajneel Chand but it wasn’t enough.

In midweek Lautoka was handed its first defeat of the season when they lost to Nadi 1-0 on Wednesday.

Uraia Loki who also part of the recent Fiji U23 side scored the goal in that match.

Navua coach Anil Sharma has pointed out the goal scoring has become a problem for his side and this led to the loss.

"We haven’t been able to bang in the goals as we had a lot of opportunities come our way," Sharma said.

Lautoka – who don’t have a coach at the moment have been the inform team of the season.

"We want to go all the way and win as we haven’t won the league for some time," said President Shalendra Prasad.

Meanwhile in other fixtures striker Lisala Vetaukula’s goal gave Rewa its first win in the league as the side beat Nadi 1-0 on Sunday.

Young and upcoming striker Epeli Saukuru gave Nadroga its second win in the league against Tavua as he scored the lone goal.

Saukuru got the winner against the winless gold minners who are rooted at the bottom of the table.

Former NI Vanuatu international Seimata Chillia was on target as Suva dumped Nasinu 4-0.

The Whites outplayed their Southern neighbors at the Post Fiji Stadium with goals from Chillia new signing Sedrick Dutt, skipper Inosi Cava and Mira Sahib.

Dutt is part of the Fiji U20 squad and is touted as being the ‘next new find of Fijian soccer’.

New World National League Points table as of 16.03.08