The recent Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giant champions fielded a strong side with Lorima Dau and skipper Simione Tamanisau the only notable exclusions from the side due to their commitments with the national side in Noumea for the Pacific Games.
The absence of Tamanisau, saw former national U20 goal keeper Epeli Loaniceva get his first start of the season for Rewa.
Intiaz Khan coached Under-23 side were missing the services of their several key players from the Suva, Rewa and Navua districts.
And a small crowd gathered in Nausori to witness the chilling Thursday night encounter as the U23 got close of creating a lot of goal scoring opportunities in the first half but their final touches let them down.
Rewa with a safe and simple game plan, opted to play long balls in a bid to allow their mid field and strike force to do the damage.
Young Besty Ali, an upcoming talent eyed to become a future national rep in the near future was one of the stand-out player’s along with Saukuru.
The duo worked tirelessly all night while the same could not be said for Nigerian Sanni Issa who tried doing a little too much on his own but his shots could only found the fence behind the goal post.
Saukuru was rewarded for his hard work on the 31st minute of the first half. U23 run-on goalie Marika Serukalou twice took a knock and had to be substituted as Suva goalie Mesake Navitikula took charge.
A horror start for Navitikula, minutes after his substitution, Saukuru raced from the right flanks to fire a wide shot for the opening goal of the match.
In the second half the U23 side adapted to Rewa’s pattern, hoping this would be an answer to the equaliser. But that was not meant to be as the Rewa defence held their lines.
Niumaia Tagi made way for super sub Verevou who in the 80th minute was set-up by his elder brother.
Saukuru sent a perfectly timed cross for Verevou to score and end the fight of the U23 side. Khan said the U23 development programme had allowed them to expose various young talents as Fiji Football Association prepares for the Olympic games playoffs.
Rewa: 18. Epeli Loaniceva (GK), 17. Posiano Kalisito, 16. Nathan Kumar, 11. Nasoni Mereke, 2. Peniame Drova, 10. Sanni Issa, 9. Veresa Toma (C), 3. Betsy Ali, 14. Epeli Saukuru, 15. Niumaia Tagi, 7. Usaia Tadu
Reserves: 5. Marika Rodu, Kevin Singh,13. Meneusi Senibuli, 8. Iosefo Verevou, 6. Mohammed Sameer
U23: 1. Marika Serukalou, 4. Gurjit Singh, 12. Ratu Luke, 6. Keshwan Goundar, 23. Maciu Tuilau, 19. Roderick Singh (C), 16. Shekar Reddy, 20. Simione Domoni, 28. Sumit Krishan, 18. Mosheen Abdul, 14. Shivnesh Chand
Reserves: 26. Josaia Rokotunidau, 11. Atish Chand, 1. Mesake Navitikula
2011 Fiji Sun/Weet National Football League
Full Time: Eveready Airpro Rewa 2 Skippy U23 Southern 0
Rewa Goals: Epeli Saukuru 31”; Iosefo Verevou 80”
Rewa Caution: Sanni Issa 31’
U23 Caution: Simione Domoni 89’
7.30pm at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori
Brothers on song for Rewa
