Rewa defends Youth title Rewa successfully defended the Fiji Sun-Skipper Tuna National Youth League crown after defeating Ba 2-1 in the final at Govind Park in Ba. Ba made a flying start to the final scoring the opening goal in the third minute through Manasa Nawakaula as the Rewa defence made a blunder in front of their goal. Vodafone Fiji U20 rep Setareki Hughes made the scores even in the 6th minute. Ba with the services of Vodafone Fiji U20 reps Jnr Narendra Rao,Saula Waqa,Praneel Naidu,Ravnit Chand and goalkeeper Misiwane Nairube applied pressure after the equaliser but Rewa goalie Manasa Benito made numerous one on one saves and also made some good saves in the air to take the teams to the break with a 1-1 scoreline. Former Fiji U20 striker Savenaca Nakalevu missed two golden chances early in the second half as Rewa returned with an attacking strategy after the restart. Jamal Khan, the son of coach Nigel Khan scored the winner in the 53rd minute after receiving a neat pass from Hughes inside the penalty box. Ba finished the game with only 10 players after Josefa Koroi was flashed a red card following his second booking. Rewa coach Nigel Khan said his boys played their hearts out and remained unbeaten through the season and he thanked them for sticking to the game plan. “We came here to defend out title and it was a good effort by the boys, “said Khan. After guiding Rewa to back to back victories he has urged Rewa Football management to look at the caliber of players in the district. “I think its time for me to move on as I have a lot of family and business commitment next year, “added Khan. I have been with this team for last five years and I think it’s a while now and I am proud that my hard work with my assistant Raju Goundar has paid off. “We prepared ourselves well for this match as we know Ba is always a force to reckon whether it is the senior team, youth team or junior team. They have good players and gave us a tough time. Khan thanked his family members for coming with him at the grounds and supporting him. “I’m proud of my son who scored the winning goal and hope he continues playing the way he played today and wears a national jumper when time comes. He said the prize money they will receive will be shared amongst the players. “He said the players deserve that because they have sacrificed their time and other commitments to play and this is right way to pay them back” Ba Youth coach Salen Lal said he was happy with his boy’s performance despite regrouping two days before the play-off. “We had some fitness problem during the match which was one of our major weakness which resulted in six of our players getting yellow card and a red card. “We played well despite of a man down in the last stage but I would say the better prepared team will always win. “I congratulate Rewa for giving us the tough battle and defending their title as National Football Youth Champions, “added Lal. Rewa will receive $4000 while Ba will get $1500. Rewa: Benito Waqavou, Zameel Hussein, Karan Singh, Rajiv Prasad, Tevita Waranaivalu, Kelepi Kulaveke, Vilikesa Voli, Setareki Hughes, Prashant Sharma, Jamal Khan, Savenaca Nakalevu. Ba: Misiwani Nairube, Manasa Nawakula, Praneel Naidu, Joseva Koroi, Narendra Rao, Saula Waqa, Sitiveni Cavuilagi, Paulo Buke, Mohammed Shazil, Ilaitia Aisea, Ravneet Chand. Avikash Chand Fiji FA Media
Posted on: Sun, 21 Dec 2014 23:16:17 +0000
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