The Salesh Kumar captained NZFFI Team Lautoka Masters was crowned the champions of the 2022 RC Manubhai/Apco Coatings Fiji FA International Veterans Tournament after edging AUFFI All Stars 4-1 in the final at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka last Sunday.
Former Ba and national midfielder Kumar said they came here with a mission and that was accomplished.
“We came here not for fun but to win our first title and we were confident from day one that we will win the title,”
“We have been playing together for sometimes now and the strength was that some of our players turned 40 this year and they were fir,”
“It’s always good to be back home to play and meet our former football mates and fans but winning the title means a lot,” said Kumar
“Credit goes to our officials for putting a team together for the tournament and dedicating the win to all our hardworking officials and families,”
Kumar also scooped the Player of the Tournament award while Rewa Masters Pita Rabo scooped the Golden Boot Award.
NZFFI Team Lautoka Masters defeated Nasinu Masters 2-1 in the second semi-final while AUFFI All-Stars won 2-0 against Nasinu Legends to qualify for the finals.
The side with the services of former national reps, Alvin Avinesh, Josaia Bukalidi, Leone Vurukania, Robert Sahib, and Vishal Lal proved too strong for the Jason Lal captained side which was boosted by former Nadroga reps Atunesh and Nitesh Prasad.
Former Lautoka and national midfielder Alvin Avinesh scored the opener for the Kiwis in the seventh minute of play after beating the AUFII defense.
Just eight minutes later former national Suva and under 20 rep Vishal Lal netted their second when he placed the ball perfectly at the bottom left corner which AUFFI goalkeeper Zuber Kaiyum failed to stop.
Leading 2-nil at the break, their relentless effort was rewarded when Lal got his second before Zaid Azeem added another close to full-time.
A late consolation goal to AUFFI brought some smiles to their fans at Lawaqa Park.
The NZFFI Team Lautoka walked away with $4000 while AUFFI All-Stars received $1500 in prizemoney.
