Nadi’s Ratu Veresa Toma, right, in action against the visiting Vanuatu side Amicale FC at Prince Charles Park earlier today. Photo: SHALENDRA PRASAD.
By JOSEPHINE NAVULA
Vanuatu’s Amicale Football Club became victorious after defeating home team, Nadi 2-1 in their first build up match in preparation for the Oceania League at the Prince Charles Park earlier today.
A foul by Nadi’s Amani Makoe on Amicale FC’s Jack Whitney proved costly as Amicale FC’s Pape Gueye did not waste time to kick in the opener for the visitors minutes before half time. Amicale FC lead 1-0 at breather.
Pape Gueye scored again in the first 13 minutes of the second half to extend their lead, 2-0.
The Green Machine bounced back after Uraia Loki scored a goal in the last few minutes of the game and the jetsetters applied great pressure on the visitors before full-time.
Amicale FC Technical Adviser, Robert Calvo said they will need to work on their speed after today’s match.
“We will need to improve on the speed of the game, we were playing a bit slow today. But we will need to increase the tempo of our games. But overall, it was a good game. We were awarded a penalty in the first half, and were lucky to score early in the first second half,” he said.
Jack’s Nadi team made a good comeback at the second half, but it was not enough until the final whistle.
“It was not easy to keep control of the game but we had a good and successful first half,” Calvo said.
Nadi FA head-coach, Kamal Swamy said the game was a good exposure for his boys.
“It was the great experience for the Nadi team, as the young boys came out to play with good performance,” he said.
Amicale FC will then take on Lautoka in their second build up match this Tuesday, and later take on the national under-20 side.
They will take on Solomon Islands champions, Solomon Warriors in their first match at the Oceania League end of this month in the Solomons.
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