The Suva football side had claimed its fourth National Football League title on Sunday.
The Flow Valves sponsored Capital City side have been crowned the 2020 Vodafone Premier League champions after a draw against Nadi on Sunday at ANZ Stadium in Suva.
Suva needed a win or a draw to secure the VPL title as they led with 26 points on the standings after 13 rounds.
Both Suva and Rewa are locked with 27 points but the Capital City have better goal difference with plus 12 whereas the Delta Tigers only managed six-plus goal difference.
The Capital side had more opportunities to score in the game but lack of concentration and great goalkeeping from Vereti Dixson denied the attempts by Suva strikers Sairusi Nalaubua and Christopher Wasasala to find the net.
Both teams were reduced to 10 players in the second spell after Baravilala, and Nadi’s Serupepeli Neikaci were shown the marching orders for a dangerous play by referee Shonal Prasad.
Suva coach Babs Khan said it was a nail biting match.
“For me as a coach I will never want my team to go in and draw but to win and I congratulate Nadi for giving us heartbreaking outings and we all enjoyed football today just like our match against Rewa.
“Nadi coach Kamal Swamy had a lot strategy and he came out with his plans but nevertheless hats off to our boys for winning the title,” said former Nadi coach.
Khan said they had a plan to win the title this year.
“When I was appointed the coach, Suva president Ritesh Pratap told me he wants to win the VPL title and I had some plans to fulfil his wishes despite getting lots of critics,” said Khan
“It was just thinking of looking at how the player’s behaviors were in the first two outings and it was pretty intact and they were much disciplined and it shows for it right now and I thank all my boys and their families for making this possible.”
Khan said it was an honour to win his first National League title for the Capital side.
“It’s an honour to win the Vodafone Premier League and I was really feeling for Pratap who have not won any title since he took up the leadership and they were applying pressure on me and they got the very best out of me and I got the very best out of them,”
He said he had no plans to quit coaching Suva FC.
“I have not come out with any plans to quit but I know there are lots of rumors that I am leaving but I do not know where all this are coming from but I am not leaving anywhere because this is my home now and I was born in Suva as well,”
Khan said his focus would be now on Vodafone Fiji FACT this month.
“Well will let the boys celebrate for two or three days and get back to training and see how we can finish the season on a high note,”
The Filipe Baravilala captained Suva side end the competition with 7 wins, 6 draws and 1 loss.
Suva walked away with $18000 prizemoney while Rewa gets $6000 for second finish and Ba receives $1000 for third spot.
