Caption: Rewa goalkeeper Simione Tamanisau makes a deadly save against the Finance Pacific Nadroga in their IDC first pool encounter at Prince Charles Park. Photo: ANUSHIL KUMAR.
By ANUSHIL KUMAR
Rewa started its 2014 Courts Inter-District Championship campaign on a slow note as they fought tooth and nail to beat the Finance Pacific Nadroga 1-0 at Prince Charles Park in Nadi today, October 4.
The BOG champions had to start the match in a defensive formation as the stallions applied early pressure onto the Rewa goal as goalie Simione Tamanisau had to work overtime under the sticks.
Both teams got equal goal scoring opportunities, however the strikers failed to find the net as the teams were locked nil-all at the breather.
Rewa found the only goal of the match in the 59th minute through a penalty kick after debutant Don Raj handled the ball in the 18-yard box as Simione Maikali neatly finished placing the ball to the right side of diving goalkeeper Alifereti Baleiloa.
Nadroga goalkeeper Alifereti Baleiloa fails to stop Simione Maikali’s penalty. Photo: ANUSHIL KUMAR.
The delta tigers were reduced to 10-men later in the second half after referee Andrew Achari showed the marching orders to Jone Kaloutani.
Rewa coach Marika Rodu was not happy with the performance despite their win.
“I am not happy with performance as I expected a different ball game from my boys.
“We will go back to the drawing board and improve on our mistakes for the next game.”
However, Nadroga coach Joseph Nand was happy with his teams’ performance despite the loss.
“I am very happy with my teams performance because we know Rewa is a champion side and we will surely improve on defensive areas to come out strong next week with the young boys.