Coming off a heavy 4-1 loss at the hands of Waitakere last weekend in NZ, the delta tigers as Rewa are commonly known were not planning to face embarrassment in front of their home fans.
NZ based former Rewa duo Pita Rabo and Waisake Sabutu were nowhere to be seen but Rewa were strengthened with the inclusion of Lautoka duo Valerio Nawatu and Kamal Hassan.
On the other hand, a late call up to the Waitakere side was lethal Fijian international striker Roy Krishna who was given only the last twenty minutes as he now joins Labasa for their two crucial Fiji Sun/Weet-Bix National Football League matches.
Seven minutes in the match, Rewa could not have asked for a better start when striker Sanni Issa launched a wide cross from near the right hand corner flag, Waitakere goalie Danny Robinson came out of his line to tap the ball out but in the process conceded an own goal.
The lead excited the 1500 plus fans who had come out to support their side.
Rewa went toe to toe with the visitors after the goal but often lacked in the skills department as Waitakere displayed some fine football to entertain the fans. They setup various goal scoring opportunities but national side goal keeper Simione Tamanisau made some good saves to keep Rewa in the lead.
Late in the second half, Waitakere got their reward for the hard work put in when Sean Lovemore nodded in the equaliser following a corner kick.
Krishna entered the match late and made the Rewa defence work hard but was contained well. Epeli Saukuru of Rewa gave in a man of the match performance as he sparked the Rewa attack throughout the match.
Rewa President Pranil Singh applauded his troops for turning around things in such a short span of time. He adds that the match was a perfect one as they prepare for the defence of the Courts Inter District Championship next month.
“I guess after the first match in NZ the boys really stepped up to the mark. These matches have given our boys some good exposure and playing against some good sides have shown us the weakness that we have to work on as we prepare for the IDC,” Singh said.
Neil Emblen, the Waitakere side player/coach said they needed these sort of matches as they prepare for their regular season competition and the O-League.
“It is always going to be difficult coming here and playing in the islands. In the O-league you have a match in the islands, if you lose there is no second chance so we needed a tough match like this and I think Rewa were good. In this tour we have had a chance to come out and try out our various players and give them some game time,” he said.
Waitakere concludes their two-match tour to Fiji when they battle Ba this Sunday 2pm at Govind Park.
International Friendly
Full Time: Airpro Rewa 1 Waitakere United 1
Rewa Cautions: Valerio Nawatu 53’; Meniusi Senibuli 83’
Waitakere Goal: Danny Robinson (own goal) 7”; Sean Lovemore 85”
Waitakere Caution: Martin Bullock 22’
7.15pm at Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori
