Loverspoint Restaurant NZ Rewa Masters clinched the 2019 RC Manubhai/APCO Coatings International Veteran’s title after beating Nasinu Masters 4-2 in penalty kicks at Uprising Beach Resort Artificial Turf in Pacific Harbour on Sunday.
Led by former Rewa midfielder Sameer Ali the NZ Masters started the final with much tempo which saw in the 8th minute former Nadi striker Irinale Nabalurua scored the opener after beating the Nasinu defense.
NZ Rewa Masters took advantage in the 18th minute with a goal from former Rewa striker Lisala Bonatoba taking the 2-0 lead
Nasinu came back in the 24th minute with a goal from former Nasinu striker Binesh Kumar and continued to pressure the NZ Rewa defense which saw referee Mahen Singh awarding a penalty to Nasinu in the 33rd minute after striker Binesh was fouled in the penalty box.
Former Suva rep Vikash Prasad Vicky levelled the score from the penalty kick with a powerful shot passed former Labasa, Nadi and National goalkeeper Ravinesh Narayan which forced the winner to be decided on penalty kicks.
Goalkeeper Ravinesh Narayan saved the first shot from Nasinu’s Vikash Prasad after judging his shot well while Imran Ali scored his first kick for NZ Rewa.
Ashwin Chand’s kick went wide out giving the NZ Rewa Masters an advantage while Mohammed Riaz Khan scored the second kick of NZ Rewa. Binesh Kumar scored for Nasinu while Leone Vurukania spotted in the third penalty for New Zeland.
Sameer Ali scored the winning penalty for NZ Rewa.
NZ Rewa Masters team manager Robert Roshan Lal was the happiest man after the final.
“I am really proud of the boys today (Sunday) as we achieved what we came here for.”said Lal
He said their aim was to win the tournament.
“This is our first win in the RC Manubhai/APCO Coatings International Veteran’s Tournament and we came here with an objective to win the title and the boys have done, “said Lal
Lal thanked Fiji Football for hosting such a tournament for former players.
‘I would like to thank Fiji FA for such a lovely tournament despite the unfavorable weather condition and it was great to see some of the former players in action.”
‘We are a very good side and we are defending champions of the Pacific Cup and we have been playing in a league back home which we are also leading with three matches undefeated.”
“This was our third title in a row as we have also won the International Veteran’s tournament in NZ this year and this is something which we were looking for, “said Lal
Nasinu Masters coach/player Lawrence Robert said they were unfortunate to lose in the final.
“We are unfortunate as the penalty kick is anyone’s game but I salute my boys for their gallant performance as seen we were down 2-0 but the boys played really well,”said Lal.
NZ Rewa: Ravinesh Narayan, Imran Shaukat Ali, Mohammed Riaz Ali, Mohammed Faizal Khan, Mohammed Ilfraz Ali, Leone Vurukania,Seveci Rokotakala, Sameer Ali, Imtiaz Begg,Lisala Bonatoba, Irinale Nabalarua.
Nasinu Masters: Shalendra Govind, Mau Penisula, Valerio Nasema, Jalindar Singh, Ronald Ram,Lawrence Robert, Ashwin Chand, Akesh Narayan, Vikash Prasad, Rajesh Kumar,Binesh Kumar.
