FIJI- After the completion of the first round of games at the FMF/Blue Gas Battle of the Giants tournament, Vodafone Labasa, Shop and Save Lautoka and Southern Forest Navua have set the pace.
Labasa beat Nasinu 3-0, with a brace from Samuela Kautoga and one strike from Waitakere United striker, Roy Krishna.
Veteran marksman, Salesh Sami and Isimeli Naresia got the goals for Lautoka in its 2-0 win over Nadroga. Pranil Chand and lanky Apisai Smith gave Navua a 2-0 win over Tavua while Rewa and Nadi played out a 1-1 draw in another match.
Olympian Alvin Prasad got the opener for Rewa, but it was former national rep Viliame Toma, who got the equalizer deep in the second half.
Labasa coach Anand Sami although happy with his teams outcome was disappointed at his side’s failure in converting many chances especially since play was largely confined within the Nasinu half.
“It was a bit of a lackluster performance from the boys. There could have many more goals,” Sami said.
Lautoka coach Dennis Singh said they will have to brush up their attacking game. Singh said their players wasted many scoring opportunities.
“If you don’t score then you don’t win matches, it’s as simple as that,” he quipped. Navua boss Anil Sharma was satisfied with the win and also praised Tavua.
"We always knew it was going to be tough. I’m satisfied with the win and I also salute Tavua for giving us a tough game because everybody expected Navua to win by a big margin. Tavua will be a strong team in the tournament.”
"On the day Tavua played really well. We created opportunities but Tavua made it tough for us. I think we can use this week to perfect our finishing,” Sharma said.
Rewa coach Kamal Swamy said while his teams played a better match than Nadi, a lapse in concentration saw the side give away the lead.
“We came away with a point, which is far better than losing,” Swamy said.
Games proper will start on Thursday at the National Stadium.