Roy Krishna and Labasa’s IDC glory

Roy Krishna is one of the most important players Fiji has ever produced; the 32-year-old striker has already achieved glory in New Zealand and India in his successful career. In 2011 Krishna already was an accomplished player in New Zealand’s premier league, playing for the giant Waitakere United. The player who is born in Labasa returned to his country to help his home club in the Inter-District Championship.

The last time Labasa won the major tournament in Fiji was in 1994 – Roy and his teammates had a long battle to come. The competition was held in the TFL National Stadium, in Suva – the first match of Krishna’s return to Labasa was against Ba, the match would end in a 2-2 draw, but Krishna had a very fast impact scoring one goal in the match.

Labasa finished at the top of the Pool 1 in the championship, that also had Ba, Rewa, Savusavu and Nadi. In the semifinal, Krishna and Labasa took on Lautoka hoping to be back to the final and finish their drought of IDC’s titles.

Krishna was the man of the day as he scored the only goal of the clash to give Labasa the entry in the grand final. Ba would be opponent in the decision, as they won Suva in the other semifinal thanks to a goal of the star-midfielder Malakai Tiwa.

See More:
Krishna finds the net: Fiji football at 2016 Olympics;
Roy Krishna extends his contract with ATK Mohun Bagan;
Roy Krishna: making Fiji proud.

The grand final match had thousands of people in the stands supporting their favourite teams; Labasa counted not only on Krishna, but as well on important players as Taniela Waqa and Maciu Dunadamu. Both sides played a very physical match in a pitch in bad conditions. But the quality of Krishna was something Ba did not have in their side: the star-player created a rare goalscoring chance for the striker Maciu Dunadamu that with a fantastic finish found the top corner of the goal and put Labasa ahead.

Labasa managed to hold the pressure and keep the advantage until the end of the game; finally Labasa could celebrate the IDC glory after 17 years. “Roy Krishna of Labasa was declared the 2011 Courts Interdistrict Championship Player of the Tournament after he helped his team win the coveted Lloyd Farebrother Trophy at the TFL National Stadium in Suva yesterday,” said a report of FijiSun in 2011.

“Krishna means Lord in Hindi and Roy was in tears when he received his prize after the final. “This is an honour but I dedicate it also to my teammates and the fans of Labasa,” he said. The top striker was carried off the field by Labasa fans who enveloped the team as the final whistle sounded and the celebration began“, also is reported by FjiSun.

After helping Labasa to clinch the IDC’s trophy, the star Krishna moved back to Waitakere United where he played more three seasons before joining Wellington Phoenix. Currently, Krishna is rated as one of the best players ever from Pacific region, but he never forgot his roots – as we can see in this story of 2011.