The All Basic Supplies Nasinu side won the heart of many football fans with their sterling performance during the first semi-final of the 2019 INKK Mobile Battle of the Giants Tournament at Churchill Park in Lautoka on Saturday.
Despite going down 0-3 to Labasa, the Tagi Vonolagi coached side proved they are the real Giant Killers in Fiji soccer.
Nasinu surprised many by qualifying for the semi-final after their 0-4 loss to Lautoka in the opening Group match. They regrouped and held star studded Rewa side to a one-all draw and stunned Nadi with a 1-0 win in its final pool match.
In the semi-final Nasinu would have surprised many but luck was not on their side after playing full 90 minutes of football. Goalkeeper Josaia Ratu was the real hero in that match making some daring saves to force the match into extra spells.
Nasoni Mereke, Joseph Mishra, Jone Naraba and replacement Gibson Hiulaungia missed clear chances.
The first half was extended by close to ten minutes as Nasinu goalkeeper suffered a head injury and upon assessment by Fiji FA doctor and being declared unfit to continue, opted to stay on.
It was in the first spell of the first half when hardworking Nasinu defender Luke Savu was sent off for double booking which gave Labasa to score 3 goals.
Nasinu president Oneil Lal Chand praised his players for the gallant performance.
“Iam so proud that despite some odds my boy’s gave their heart out for Naisinu. They played for pride and they are pride for Nasinu,”said Chand.
Chand said the boys made everyone proud.
“This players were not sleeping in hotel but on the floor at a school where we camped but they did their best for Nasinu and the whole community should be proud of them.
“They have sacrificed a lot and I salute them and hats off to them.”
“I am very proud of my players as we have come a long way in this tournament and picked up our performance in every match we played,” he said.
Coach Tagi Vonolagi praised the effort of president Chand.
“I think whatever he has done for Nasinu no one would do like sleeping with boys in camp, cooking for them and paying them fron his own pocket,”
“He is a true son of Nasinu and I urge people of Nasinu to support him and the team.
The former Nasinu and national goalkeer said he would continue coaching the team.
‘I am a Nasinu boy and have come back and will help them in the remaining matches,”
Tagi said he was so happy with the set of young boys Nasinu have.
