Veteran Taniela Waqa was the hero for the Powerwise Electrical (NZ)/ Standard Hire sponsored Labasa side after he came off from the bench to give the Babasiqa Lions its fifth Pillay Garments Champion vs Champion title at ANZ Stadium in Suva on Sunday.
Waqa’s goal ensured the Babasiqa Lions retain the title beating Unique Rubber Stamp Suva FC 2-1 in the second leg of the Pillay Garments Champion vs Champion series after the first leg ended in a 1-1 draw last Friday.
Both teams were locked 1-1 after Labasa’s Marlon Taihoa scored the opener in the 47th minute of play heading into the break with 1-0 lead.
Suva coach Babs Khan made a changed at break and substituted Christopher Wasasala with Mohammed Shazil in front which made instant impact which saw defender Remueru Takiata getting the equalizer just in a minute of the second half.
Labasa coach Ravneel Pratap replaced Waqa with Ashneel Raju in the 51 minute which brought live in the Babasiqa attack.
It was in the 85th minute of play when Waqa after a defensive blunder by Suva defenders gave Waqa the space and opportunity to put the ball into the back of the net giving Suva goalkeeper Atunaisa Naucukidi no chance at all and sending Labasa fans into frenzy.
Labasa president Rayaz Khan was overjoyed after the final whistle.
“It’s a great moment for us. I am so happy today as after all hiccups the boys have proved a lot,” said Khan
“It’s our first back to back title and thank the hard work of our players and officials,”
Khan said there was lots of critics about our new coach but he has proved his worth.
“We were confident of Pratap’s caliber and I congratulate him for his courage in taking up the job and proving his worth,”said Khan
Labasa walks away $5000 richer while Suva receives $2500.
The teams:
Unique Rubber Stamp Suva– Atunaisa Naucukidi, Meli Codro (Mohammed Ramzan Khan), Simione Nabenu, Remueru Tekiate, Iosefo Verevou (Semi Matalau), Christopher Wasasala (Mohammed Shazil Ali), Ravnesh Karan Singh (C), Joeli Ranitu, Waisake Navunigasau, Shahil Dave, Filipe Baravilala.
Powerwise Electrical (NZ) / Standard Hire Labasa– Akuila Mateisuva (C), Sitiveni Rakai, Sekove Naivakananumi, Marlon Tahioa (Ilaisa Nayasi), Siotame Kubu, Jone Naraba, Ilisoni Loloivalu, Ashnil Raju (Taniela Waqa), Akeimi Ralulu, Ilisoni Logaivou, Lekima Gonerau (Iliesa Lino).
