Navua with tons of experience on their side held on for a close 4-3 victory after leading 3-0 at the break.
The young U23 side seemed to have lost the plot in the first spell.
Rewa trio Betsy Ali, Peniame Drova, Archie Watkins; Tailevu Naitasiri pair Roderick Singh, Ratu Luke Lomasalato along with Nadroga based Sitiveni Watkins and Suva’s Robert Nair were few of the household names in the U23 side.
Navua team director Krishneel Sharma said his troops may have underestimated the Southern-based U23 side.
He said there focus was now on Sundays clash at Govind Park against Ba, 3pm.
“I’m not too impressed with this performance as once again we facing the same problem as we did at the Fiji FACT- that is the finishing. The defenders disappointed me the most,” he said.
“The only thing to do is go back to the drawing board and hopefully put a good team against Ba on Sunday. We will try to stick to the game plan but looking for better execution. I think our boys took this U23 team lightly and that’s the result we got.”
Initiaz Khan, the Southern U23 coach said mistakes in the first spell proved costly in the end.
“The silly mistakes in the first half, we gave away goals. During the break we spoke about the attitude and roles and we capitalised in the second half,” he said.
“I would like to thank the boys who have put their hands up for the side and I think with this U23 programme Fiji FA is heading towards the right direction.”
A low turnout was seen at Ratu Cakobau Park tonight. Praneel Kumar scored the first goal for Navua just inside the first 24 minutes. Sailosi Livatalo followed before Sedrick Dutt scored the first of his two goals before the break.
Dutt is also part of the Southern U23 side but tonight was on the opposition side.
The U23 side came out strong in the new spell and substitute Robert Nair pulled one back. Their joy was cut short as Dutt scored his second which then gave Navua a comfortable 4-1 lead.
The Southern lads were not ready to throw the towel just yet. First Betsy Ali and later Archie Watkins with a spot kick cut the advantage down to one.
The Intiaz Khan coached side played till the final whistle but Navua with the likes of Lorima Dau , Seveci Rokotakala and Pene Erenio in defence held on to deny an upset.
Fiji Sun/Weet-Bix National Football League
Full Time: Skipper Tuna Southern Forest Navua 4 Skippy U23 Southern 3
Navua Goals: Praneel Kumar 24”; Sailosi Livatalo 35”; Sedrick Dutt 38”, 56”
Navua Caution: Arvin Pratap 53’; Joseph Mishra 80’
U23 Goals: Robert Nair 50”; Betsy Ali 75”; Archie Watkins 80” (PK)
U23 Caution: Marika Sevu 85’
7.30pm Ratu Cakobau Park
Fiji FA MEDIA
Navua edge U23
