Rewa struck twice in the second spell, first through their skipper Archie Watkins and later Solomon Islander George Lui to hand Navua a 2-1 loss at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori on Wednesday night.
It was first blood to Navua when Lorima Dau nodded in a goal just 24 minutes into the match. Navua dominated most of the first spell but Rewa fought back. Following their second loss Navua is now at the bottom of the points standing with zero points.
In the other match played on Wednesday night, Lautoka held Ba to a 0-0 draw at Churchill Park. Lautoka earning yet another draw sees them third with two points.
Rewa and Ba are both with four points after a win and draw each. The two will clash this Sunday at Ratu Cakobau Park on match day three of the Pillay Garments Champions League which should indeed be a top of the standings clash.
While being happy with the progress his side had made so far in the Champions League Rewa coach/ player Marika Rodu says the onus was on them to maintain their performance against Ba this Sunday.
“Rewa respects Ba like any other team. They are known to be a champion side but we will have a good talk and see how we can improve. The victory over Navua is a major plus for us but at the moment we are not looking at the whole competition as we are taking one game at a time,” Rodu said.
“The competition is still wide open and with the results from the two matches we are on the right track.”
Rewa held Lautoka 2-2 last weekend on match day one. On the other hand Navua team manager Krishneil Sharma believes it would be a uphill battle now to survive in the Champions League.
“I think the loss against Rewa was an unfortunate one. Firstly I guess we were unlucky and secondly we failed with our formations. We did not play badly but we missed a lot of good chances. It will be very difficult for us to win the Champions League now so maybe we can use this as a build up for the National League,” he said.
The double header clash this Sunday at Ratu Cakobau Park sees winless Navua take on Lautoka 2pm. Later at 4pm host Rewa battles Ba.
2011 Pillay Garments Champions League
Match Day Two
Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori
Full Time: Rewa 2 Navua 1
Rewa Goals: Archie Watkins 52”: George Lui 90”
Rewa Caution: Archie Watkins 57’: Posiano Kalisito 78’
Navua Goal: Lorima Dau 24”
Navua Caution: Benaminio Mateinaqara 58’
Churchill Park Lautoka
Full Time: Lautoka 0 Ba 0
Ba Caution: Meli Codro 54’
Lautoka Caution: Valerio Nawatu 67’
Fiji FA MEDIA
