Recent rainy weather provided heavy ground conditions as defending champion Rewa made a positive start to their defence with a close 1-0 victory over Labasa.
Missing some of the top guns like Samuela Kautoga and Ilaitia Tuilau Labasa coach Hussain Sahib opted for a young side which was strongly backed by five of their age group reps – Akuila Mateisuva, Ilisoni Logaivau, Amani Makoe, Taione Kerevanua and Kavaia Rawaqa who currently are part of the national Olympic training squad.
Rewa on the other hand also blooded some new reps as young 15 year old Iosefo Verevou, Kevin Singh and Ratu Savenca Nakalevu made their first appearance in the Champions League.
Top goalie Simione Tamanisau, lethal striker Ratu Veresa Toma was named in the reserves while player/coach Marika Rodu opted to guide from the sidelines.
A spirited Labasa outfit put up a good fight against the defending champions but was unlucky while Rewa maintained their cool and captain Epeli Saukuru nailed the lone goal of the match in the 56th minute.
Tailevu Naitasiri’s Ratu Luke and Roderick Singh who are two new Rewa signings of the new season also played a part in the match.
Rewa president Yogeshwar Singh said a winning start was a positive move towards their campaign.
“This victory provides us with a very crucial three points. The boys played really well and worked hard for the victory,” he said.
Earlier in the opening match Ba edged out Suva with a similar 1-0 margin. Under the guidance of new coach Gurjit Singh and welcoming former reps with the likes of Sedrick Dutt and Joseph Mishra, it was not a start the capital side was after.
Ba missing several key players like Avinesh Waran Suwamy, Jone Vesikula, Alvin Singh, Petero Dauniseka and Roneel Kumar managed to field a strong line up which saw former Rewa star Niumaia Tagi and lethal striker Osea Vakatalesau in the starting lineup.
Malakai Tiwa followed a cross and put a foot to move the ball forward just as Suva goalie Emori Ragata dived for a save but missed it. Tiwa rushed ahead to score Ba’s opening goal of the match.
Ba coach Yogendra Dutt said the ground conditions will be a challenging factor his side.
“We have to prepare as per the ground conditions then we can start thinking about the championship. If we do not prepare as per the ground condition then I believe it will make things difficult. I’m satisfied with the victory as that is what we could have done in these conditions,” Dutt said.
Ba: 1. Jone Ralulu (GK), 16. Malakai Tiwa, 6. Manueli Kalou, 15. Osea Vakatalesau (C), 8. Aisea Codro, 10. Meli Codro, 13. Kiniviliame Naika, 9. Josaia Bukalidi, 19. Marika Madigi, 12. Remeure Takiata, 7. Niumaia Tagi
Reserves: 2. Epeli Codro, 4. Malakai Kanihewe, 16. Simeli Naresia, 19. Josefata Neibuli, 20. Peter Hughes, 21. Rinal Prasad, 28. Junior Narendra Rao
Suva: 1. Emori Ragata (GK), 5. Inosi Cava (C), 8. Esava Samudere, 15. Waisake Navaganisau, 12. Akei Uluibau, 9. Leone Damudamu, 10. Joseph Mishra, 13. Apisai Smith, 18. Joe Basudra, 19. Samuela Vula, 16. Sedrick Dutt
Reserves: 20. Mesake Vatatikula, 11. Archie Watkins, 6. Sumeet Krishan, 4. Eric Nigel Chand, 7. Abdul Mosheen, 17. James McKay, 3. Apisalome Ravula
Rewa: 2. Peniame Drova, 3. Lorima Dau,6. Iosefo Verevou, 7. Usaia Tadu, 10. Kevin Singh, 14. Epeli Saukuru (C), 5. Menusi Senibuli, 17. Posiano Kalisito, 8. Roderick Singh, 20. Uliasi Tamanisau (GK), 29. Ratu Savenaca Nakalevu
Reserves: 15. Simione Tamanisau, 4. Betsy Ali, 9. Ratu Veresa Toma, 11. Misaele Draunibaka, 13. Kolinio Sivuki, 12. Ratu Luke Lomasalato, 16. Peter Pranesh
Labasa: 9. Sandeep Nair, 4. Sailasa Vosaicake, 10. Apisai Sasewa, 7. Manasa Levaci, 18. Nalinesh Reddy, 15. Vikrant Chandra, 20. Akuila Mateisuva (GK) (C), 14. Kavaia Rawaqa, 17. Ilisoni Logaivau, 16. Amani Makoe, 17. Taione Kerevanua
Reserves: 12. Osea Lautiki, 5. Rohit Chand, 8. Rahul Sharma, 3. Ratu Apenisa, 2. Maika Vueti, 16. Melvin Reddy, 25. Filipo Daugunu
2012 Pillay Garments Champions League
Match One
Full Time: Ba 1 Suva 0
Ba Goal: Malakai Tiwa 34’
Ba Cautions: Aisea Codro 70’; Meli Codro 76’
Suva Cautions: Inosi Cava 44’; Apisai Smith 61’
5.30pm at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori
Match Two
Full Time: Rewa 1 Labasa 0
Rewa Goal: Epeli Saukuru 56’
Rewa Cautions: Menusi Senibuli 28’; Roderick Singh 67’; Misaele Draunibaka 87’
Labasa Cautions: Nalinesh Reddy 12’; Taione Kerevanua 66’
7.15pm at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori
