Farmtrac Tractors Labasa FC has won its third Battle of the Giants title after beating Rewa 2-1 in extra time at Churchill Park in Lautoka last Sunday.
Replacement striker France Catarogo who is the son of former Labasa rep Solomone Catarogo was the hero for the Babasiga Lions after scoring the winner late in the first spell of extra time.
Straight after the kick-off, Rewa pressured the Labasa defense but a counterattack and a poor defensive pass by Rewa defenders saw Ashnil Raju sneak in with the opening goal in the first minute/
Christopher Wasasala and Ratu Apenisa Anare threatened with more chances but the Rewa defence led by lanky Gabriele Matanisiga somewhat gained their composure and settled.
Labasa suffered a blow in the 19th minute after Wasasala picked up an injury and had to be replaced by youngster Simione Ragoneturaga.
Captain and goalkeeper Simione Tamanisau also played a man-of-the-match performance denying his former team to equalise in the first half.
Both teams went into the breather Labasa with a 1-0 lead.
Rewa coach Marika Rodu made three changes at the commencement of the second spell.
Brothers Setareki and Bruce Hughes replaced Matarerega and Zahid while Tevita Waranaivalu replaced Ivan Kumar.
Captain Kavaia Rawaqa, who picked up an ankle injury, was also replaced by Jeshal Kumar in the 66th minute.
Waranaivalu got the equaliser for Rewa in the 72nd minute after defender Gabrieli Matanisqa headed the ball before the reach of Tamnisau which landed in front of Warainivalu who made no mistake to get the Delta Tigers back in the game.
Rewa goalkeeper Emori Ragata was also replaced by national stopper Mohammed Alam in the 80th minute after getting a knock on his knee.
Labasa Coach Ravneel Pratap also made a tactical change and sent in Catarogo in place of Mosese Nabose.
Despite giving their best and fighting hard for the winner, both teams could not be separated in the mandatory 90 minutes.
Just before the end of the first spell of first extra time, Catarogo found the winner after beating Rewa defence and goalkeeper Alam to send the huge Labasa fans in frenzy.
Rewa toiled hard in the second spell of extra time but the experience of Tamanisau in goal for Labasa mattered the most as he time and again forced saves and guided his team brilliantly.
Labasa side returns home $17,000 richer while Rewa received $5000 for reaching the final.
Tamanisau won the Golden Glove, Christopher Wasasala was the joint Golden Boot winner with Rewa’s Tevita Waranaivalu after netting two goals while Lekima Gonerau won the Golden Ball award.
The teams:
Rewa– Emori Ragata (Mohammed Alam), Peniame Drova, Ivan Kumar (Tevita Waranaivalu), Patrick Joseph, Abbu Zahid (Setareki Hughes), Gabiriele Matanisiga, Madhwan Goundar, Josaia Sela (Ilisoni Logaivou), Kavaia Rawaqa (C) (Jeshal Kumar), Rusiate Matarerega (Bruce Hughes), Iowane Matanisiga.
Labasa– Simione Tamanisau (C), Edwin Sahayam, Ilaisa Nayasi, Christopher Wasasala (Simione Ragoneturaga), Ilisoni Loloivalu, Ashnil Raju, Ratu Apenisa Anare, Akeimi Ralulu, Lekima Gonerau, Taniela Waqa, Mosese Nabose (France Catarogo).
