The Battle of the Giants reaches its decisive knockout stage, and the first semifinal brings together two familiar foes—Extra Supermarket Labasa FC and River Tubing Fiji/Classic Tours & Rentals Navua FC—in what promises to be a fiery encounter at Subrail Park.
This matchup comes hot on the heels of their recent clash in the Extra Fiji Premier League, where Labasa edged Navua 1-0 thanks to a dramatic late winner just before the final whistle. That result not only gave the Babasiga Lions a psychological edge but also set the tone for a gripping semifinal showdown.
Labasa enter this semifinal riding high as one of three teams yet to suffer defeat in the tournament, alongside Rewa and Lautoka.
Coach Alvin Chand, who marked his tournament debut with a victory in the Fiji FACT, is now eyeing a second consecutive final.
But he knows the stakes are higher in the knockout rounds. Last year, Labasa stumbled at home in the FACT semifinals against Lautoka—a result they are determined not to replicate.
Labasa’s recent 1-0 win over Navua showed grit and patience, reinforcing their ability to break down stubborn defences—even if it takes until the dying minutes.
Navua’s campaign has been a tale of resilience. After a 2-0 opening loss to Rewa, Babs Khan’s men bounced back strongly, routing Suva 3-0 and holding Nadi 1-1 to secure a semifinal spot.
Their narrow defeat to Labasa, despite the result, proved they can frustrate even the best sides. With a more clinical edge and smarter game management, they’ll believe they can flip the script this time.
Navua’s strength lies in togetherness, work ethic, and fitness. If allowed to settle into a rhythm, they will test Labasa to the limit.
Labasa, meanwhile, will aim to dominate early, relying on home support to create pressure and open up Navua’s defence.
Navua may sit deep and absorb pressure, looking to strike on the counter and challenge Labasa’s backline with pace and direct play.
The midfield battle will be key—whoever controls the tempo could shape the flow of the match.
Having already beaten Navua recently, Labasa will be confident but not complacent. They know Navua will not roll over—and if given the chance to dictate, the Southern side could turn this into another late-night thriller.
Expect a tight contest. A draw in normal time is possible, but Labasa’s discipline and depth may see them edge through in extra time.
Labasa have everything to lose. Navua, everything to gain. With a place in the final on the line, the question remains:
Will Labasa confirm their dominance, or can Navua shock the Subrail Park faithful?
Only 90—or perhaps 120—minutes will tell. Kick-off is at 2 p.m.
