And it was none other than Tavua skipper and former national under-20 rep Jone Salauneune who led by example scoring a brace of goals in the first match of day three.
He scored his side’s opening goal in the 5th minute of play. Savusavu following their 0-2 loss to Navua on the previous night were not ready to throw the towel just yet.
Timoci Turaga fired a shot from the half way mark which caught Tavua goalie off guard, straight into the net.
Both sides locked 0-0 had all to play in the second half. Savusavu dominated in the opening minutes of the new half but Tavua held their line.
Tavua was later awarded a penalty by referee Varun Lal, Salauneune stepped up to the mark and did not make any mistake.
“It was a pleasing but in the end a hard earned victory for us,” Shalen Roy the Tavua President said.
“We took the lead and made things difficult for ourselves which saw us concede a silly goal. As any other team our aim is to qualify for the semi finals and we are looking forward to the remaining matches.”
Tavua is now with four points after a victory over Savusavu and a 1-1 tie against Bic Suva last Sunday.
Full Time: Angel Mackerel Tavua 2 Nivea Savusavu 1
Tavua Goals: Jone Salauneune 5”, 49” (PK)
Tavua Caution: Jone Salauneune 44’; Ravinesh Chand 47’
Savusavu Goal: Timoci Turaga 23”
Savusavu Caution: Iobe Waqalivaliva 39’; Mosese Gadai 48’; Mohammed Ali 53’
1pm at Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori
Tavua: 2. Valerio Nasema, 3. Ame Votoniu, 6. Jale Vota, 7. Jone Salauneune (C), 8. Lovneel Pratap, 9. Malakai Rakula, 10. Vilitati Ratu, 11. Ravinesh Singh, 15. Ravinesh Chand, 20. Atunaiasa Baka, 21. Josaia Ratu (GK)
Reserves: 1. Ravinesh Singh, 4. Saimoni Tukai, 5. Savenaca Nasara, 14. Tomasi Uduloa, 17. Sesoni Rokete, 18. Waisea Nacuqu, 22. Anare Kolinio
Savusavu: 3. Sanjesh Kumar, 5. Jonasa Buliniau, 7. Iobe Waqalivaliva, 8. Mosese Gadai, 9. Mohammed Ali, 11. Kitione Kamikamica, 13.Apisalome Waqatabu, 14. Timoci Turaga, 16. Neeraj Sharma, 17. Rodrick Kumar (C), 22. Emori Rokoboa
Reserves: 1. Kaair Khan, 4. George Prem Singh, 10. Sandeep Kumar, 12. Mohammed Rahim, 18. Rozal Hussain, 20. Johnny Singh
Fiji FA MEDIA
Tavua claim first victory
