A determined Rewa outfit edged rival Lautoka 5-4 to scoop the first major title of the 2011 Fiji Football Association season.
And it was none other than Epeli Saukuru who proved to be the hero scoring an all important added time goal to guide Rewa.
The final round of the Champions League saw Ba and Rewa being front runners for the title with Navua having an outside chance. Navua upset the Men in Black at Govind Park 2-1 to finish on second place.
Pranil Singh the Rewa Football Association President says reason behind the victory was the excellent team work put in place by players and team management.
“I would like to take my hats off to the players and team management. Everyone involved put in a lot of effort which I believe guided us,” he said.
“This is yet another milestone for Rewa football and I would like to thank the loyal fans. Our immediate focus will now be the Fiji FACT title something which we have not won before.”
Early on Rewa found themselves 3-0 down in the opening 38 minutes. Nigerian Sanni Issa struck twice and Valerio Nawatu also got on the score sheet.
Rewa coach/player Marika Rodu led the comeback scoring one before half time and this seemed to inspire his side.
Epeli Saukuru and Solomon Islander George Lui scored crucial goals to tie the match 3-3 mid way in the second half but Rewa’s effort was short lived as Issa added Lautoka’s fourth.
Not throwing the towel yet, Rewa fought till the final whistle and was rewarded in the end as first Ratu Veresa Toma and then the all important goal from Saukuru on added time guided the delta tigers.
The Champions League title is set to shine in Rewa’s trophy cabinet with the 2010 Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giant and Courts Inter District Championship.
In the other match a blunder by Navua defender Pene Erenio saw him score an own goal gifting Ba an early 5th minute 1-0 lead.
Without a coach, manager Krishneil Sharma called the shots from the Navua bench as veteran Seveci Rokotakala struck a perfect timed free kick near the edge of the box which was misjudged by the Ba defence. Nippy Jesoni Takala was on sight to find the back of the net on the 13th minute.
Under pressure Ba up the tempo in the second spell but it was Sailosi Livatalo coming off the bench to score a crucial goal for Navua.
Fiji FA chief executive officer Bob Kumar confirmed that the presentation will be held at a later date. Rewa receives $3000.00 after finishing on top while Navua as runner up will get $1000.00.
2011 Pillay Garments Champions League
Match Day Six
Full Time: Navua 2 Ba 1
Navua Goals: Jesoni Takala 13”; Sailosi Livatalo 51”:
Navua Caution: Simione Maikali 32’: Benaminio Mateinaqara 46’
Ba Goal: Navua own goal Pene Erenio 5”
Ba Caution: Avinesh Waran Suwamy 30’: Roneel Kumar 83’
3pm at Govind Park, Ba
Full Time: Rewa 5 Lautoka 4
Rewa Goals: Marika Rodu 44”: Epeli Saukuru 48”, 90+4”: George Lui 69”: Ratu Veresa Toma 90+3”
Rewa Caution: Ratu Veresa Toma 84”
Lautoka Goals: Sanni Issa 3”, 38”, 74”: Valerio Nawatu 28”
Lautoka Caution: Valerio Nawatu 61’
3pm Churchill Park
Rewa wins Champions League
