Caption: Nadi’s Ilimotama Jese controls the ball against the Navua side in their first match for 2013 IDC.Photo: ASHTOSH SINGH
By SUNAIL NAIR & ASHTOSH SINGH
Navua held the Nadi side to a 1-1 draw after an impressive fight back while the Jetsetters came into the match as favorites with a star studded side on the list.
Navua defender in action against the green machine.Photo: ASHTOSH SINGH
Nadi bagged an early opener thorough the boots of Napolioni Qasevakatini with a rebound after from a shot taken by Rusiate Mateirerega.
Navua came back into the match pushing the defense back and was awarded a penalty after the defender handled the ball which was goal bound.
Simione Maikali took a powerfull spot kick which Ben Amino could not handle putting them back into the match. Navua had more chances late in the game but could not convert the goals due to poor finishing.
Ba and Labasa played to a 1 -1 draw after a match which lived up to a match of the day status with both teams creating early chances.
Labasa attacker Posiano Laisito heading inside the Ba goalmouth.Photo: ASHTOSH SINGH
Ba played more attacking soccer and were rewarded a goal in process after a defensive blunder for Labasa’s Kavaia Rawaqa putting a defensive clearance into his own net.
With Labasa a goal down, they started their one touch soccer and were beating Ba’s defense time and again.
Yet the Hard working Mid Fielder and Coach, Pita Baleitoga giving an uphill battle to Ba’s defenders certainly evened the Northern side.
Labasa was awarded a Penalty on the 18th minute when Baleitoga was brought down in the Ba’s Penalty box. Baleitoga took the kick scoring Labasa only goal for the match as both teams put everything at their disposal to get the winner but the match ended in a draw.
While the first match of the day saw Suva beat Nadroga in an impressive defeat by 2-1 after 2 goals by Suva’s star Samuela Drudru snatched both the goals to his name.
Nadroga’s Joseph Elder juggles the ball defending a Suva plyer. Photo: ASHTOSH SINGH
The curtain drawer match of the night host’s Lautoka ended up in a draw with the Delta Tigers Rewa side ending the first day of matches.
Meanwhile tomorrow at 2pm Suva plays Navua at 2pm, followed by Nadi taking on Nadroga at 3.30pm.
The game of the day would see giants Ba manning up against the delta tigers Rewa side and the last day of the match would see hosts Lautoka against the Labasa side at 6.45pm.
For more pictures on the 2012 Courts IDC, please see our Facebook page ‘The Jet’