Caption: Nadi’s Veresa Toma in action against Nadroga during the second semi-final at ANZ Stadium. Photo: ANUSHIL KUMAR.
By ANUSHIL KUMAR
The Shop N Save Nadi will meet hosts Suva in the 2014 Inter-District Championship final tomorrow.
This was confirmed after the Jetsetters outclassed the Finance Pacific Nadroga 3-0 in the second semi-final at ANZ Stadium earlier tonight, October 11.
As expected, the game was promised to be a cracker as the giantkillers Nadroga had earlier beaten Ba and Lautoka in the pool plays, however it ended in a one sided encounter with the Stallions ending the match having Simione Damuni red carded.
Nadi got their first goal in the 24th minute through stylish striker Josefata Ducugai, who later missed a penalty midway in the first half as the Jetsetters led 1-0 at the breather.
The Stallions fired back into the second half as Nadi goalkeeper Benaminio Mateinaqara had to make some deadly saves to keep his ways clear while Ilimotama Jese and Eliki Ravosai stood tall in defense.
Nadi goalkeeper Benaminio Mateinaqara makes a deadly save against Nadroga. Photo: ANUSHIL KUMAR.
Samuela Drudru added his name to the score-sheet in the 65th minute though a counter attack before Ratu Veresa Toma finished off for Nadi in style with the third goal in the 85th minute as Nadroga was down to 10 players.
Nadi coach Kamal Swamy was happy with the performance as his boys stuck to the game plan.
“We knew what Nadroga was capable of as they had nothing to lose, so we came up with the plan to play slow, keep possession, look for the openings, create opportunities and then to finish it off,” Swamy mentioned.
He said their focus now moves on to the main final tomorrow.
“I think we need to work in such a way that we can see the players perform and hope both the teams play well in the final as the better team will win.
“We show a lot of respect to Yogendra Dutt as he analyses the games and then we work together with plan. I think he is one of the best coaches available in Fiji and I fully support him.
“Just to the fans, have trust in these players, have trust in the officials and the coaching panel as they always try to do best for the district.”
Nadroga coach Joseph Nand applauded his boys for the fighting spirit despite going down by three goals.
“We played our hearts out but the thing is that Nadi is tactically and technically superior as they are a season team, nonetheless I’m very proud of my boys.
“Some of our players are in form five and six and we only have three experienced players in the squad namely Alifereti Baleloa, Iliesa Qereqeretabua and Luke Rawadamu, so the people of Nadroga should not lose hope with this team and continue to support.
“At the same time I would like to thank our sponsor Finance Pacific and people of Nadroga who had so much faith in us but at the end of the day, all good things come to an end.”