Lautoka smashes Nadi as Rewa beats Nasinu in a breathtaking match in Vodafone Premier League

The second matchweek of 2020 Vodafone Premier League is over. There were only three matches this weekend once Ba vs Suva clash was postponed. Scroll down and check what happened in the Fijian football’s weekend.

Labasa received Navua at Subrail Park without goalkeeper Akuila Mateisuva who suffered an injury in the opening clash of the 2020 Vodafone Premier League season against Suva. Navua also had another goalkeeper for this match once Rusiate Amasio was not in the squad to face Labasa. Tharkur Narayan was named for Navua’s starting eleven to face the Babasiga Lions.

Lions defensive system was strengthened by Lekima Gonerau that did not play in the opening round against Suva. Siotame Kubu was the hero of the day by scoring a brace to seal the 2-0 win for Babasiga Lions. It was an important result for Labasa as they lost to Suva by 2-1 in the debut.

Nadi visited Lautoka at Churchill Park as both teams were looking for the second win in two matches. Defender Arami Manumanubai and goalkeeper Joela Biuvanua made their debuts for Lautoka while former Ba midfielder Avinesh Swamy played his first ever match for Nadi.

Dave Radrigai found the net in a well taken penalty kick after a handball by Nadi’s defender Josua Tawake to score his third goal in two matches and give the lead for the Bluez in the 24th minute. Vanuatu international Alex Saniel increased Lautoka’s lead with a goal in the final minutes of the first half.

It was not Josua Tawake’s day. The 28-year-old player saw the yellow card for the second time in the match and he was sent off in the first minute of the second half. Lautoka had no mercy as Navneel Nand extended the lead to 3-0 right after Tawake’s expulsion and Shazil Ali netted the fourth, the fifth and the sixth goals to seal a hat-trick. Ali is now the current league top scorer with four goals in two matches.

The final score was 6-0 for Lautoka which means that the Bluez scored twelve goals in two matches as they won Nasinu by 6-0 in the opening round.

Nasinu received Rewa at Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori. This match marked the debut of Solomon Islands internationals Atkin Kaua and Jared Rongosulia for Nasinu. Rewa did not count on goalkeeper Simione Tamanisau for this match and he was replaced by Senirusi Bokini.

It was the debutants’ afternoon in Nausori as France Catarogo opened the scoreboard for Rewa while Atkin Kaua scored a penalty kick to equalize. However Nasinu’s could not hold the 1-1 for so long because Tevita Waranaivalu found the net for the Delta Tigers right after Kaua’s goal. Nasinu still had time to score a second goal in the first half through Atkin Kaua.

The Solomon Islands international was on fire and he scored his third goal in the match to give the lead to Nasinu in the second half but Epeli Valevou netted a brace in the final minutes to seal Rewa’s 4-3 win.

You can check the current standings and the top scorers by clicking here.