Locked 2-2 towards the last quarter of the match National U-17 rep Iosefo Verevou was the savior for his Rewa side as his crucial 67th minute goal proved to be the match winner.
Rewa Youth coach Nigel Khan says the victory was a perfect boost to their campaign. He adds more hard work needed to be put in place.
“Based on the three days of training, I’m pleased with the performance but still there is a lot of room for improvement. The Youth League continues this season and one of our goals is to maintain our unbeaten run in the competition something done by our U-16 and U-19 sides did last season. We plan to focus on the competition and continue to develop the players in our squad,” Khan said.
Avneel Singh gave the junior delta tigers a perfect start early in the match. Tailevu Naitasiri quickly regrouped to score twice within a period of 12 minutes. First it was Abdul Shafil scoring from a rebound as his spot kick deflected Rewa goalie Zamil Hassan.
Kalisito Veikasa got Tailevu Naitasiri’s second but their celebration was cut short when Rewa equalised two minutes from the half time whistle.
Both teams enjoyed a fair bit of possession in the second spell and at one stage it seemed that the clash was heading towards a stalemate but Verevou who recently was part of the National U-17 squad to the 2011 OFC U-17 playoffs scored a all important goal which proved to be the winning one.
Suresh Kumar the Tailevu Naitasiri team director says they were unlucky to concede a loss.
“I think we were very unlucky to lose this match. The boys played well and I’m proud of them. There were some decisions by the referees which were questionable but our focus will now be on the next match,” Kumar said.
Entering in its second year the Youth League is part of Fiji Football Associations development programme. This year the U-15 and U-18 grade competition replaces the previous U-19 and U-16 grades
Fiji Sun/Weet-Bix National Football Youth League
Thursday March 24, 2011
Saraswati Grounds in Manoca, Nausori
Full Time: U-18:- Eveready Rewa 3 VIVA Tailevu Naitasiri 2
Rewa Goals: Avneel Singh 12”; Akash Singh 43”; Iosefo Verevou 67”
Tailevu/Naitasiri Goals: Abdul Shafil 16”; Kalisito Veikasa 29”
Tailevu Naitasiri Caution: Kashnil Prasad 60’; Vidith Kumar 67’
Starting line-ups
Rewa U-18: 1. Zamil Hassan (GK), 2.Kolonio Sivoki (C), 3. Eliki Gukilau, 4. Karan Singh, 10. Ratu Tevita, 8. Avneel Singh, 7. Sheik Dean, 14. Iosefo Verevou, 16. Savenaca Nakalevu, 16. Prashant Nadan, 15. Zameel Hussain
Tailevu Naitasiri U-18: 18. Vidith Kumar (GK) (C), 8. Vishal Goundar, 11. Vinay Goundar, 7. Abdul Shafil, 9. Usaia Tamaniaio, 10. Ratu Kumar, 13. Kashnil Prasad, 14. Kalisito Veikasa, 3. Deepash Kumar, 2. Ashneel Kumar, 6. Mohammed Nabi
Fiji FA MEDIA
Verevou guides Rewa Youth
