Lautoka emerges victorious against spirited Navua to celebreate Fiji FACT glory

In a thrilling final showdown at Subrail Park in Labasa, Lautoka emerged victorious against Navua to secure the coveted Fiji FACT title for the second season in a row. The clash between the two football powerhouses had fans on the edge of their seats as both teams battled fiercely for supremacy.

Navua, who had advanced to the final by triumphing over Ba with a score of 2-0, faced off against Lautoka, who secured their spot in the grand final by defeating the home side Labasa with a narrow 1-0 victory.

The stage was set for an epic showdown, and both teams brought their A-game. However, it was Lautoka who ultimately prevailed, clinching the title with a 1-0 win over Navua.

The decisive moment came in the second half when Aporosa Yada of Lautoka unleashed a powerful free-kick. Sairusi Naulubu headed the ball, which then made contact with Sunny Deol’s head before finding its way into the back of the net, much to the jubilation of the Lautoka faithful.

Despite the setback, Navua continued to press forward, determined to find an equalizer. However, tensions ran high as the match progressed, and Lautoka’s Saula Waqa was shown a red card by the referee, reducing his team to ten men. Despite the numerical advantage, Navua struggled to break through Lautoka’s resilient defense, with the Blues standing firm to protect their lead.

Reflecting on their victory, a jubilant Lautoka spokesperson expressed gratitude to the fans, saying, “To the Sugar City fans, the Lautoka side has made you people proud and there were some critics so we put everyone to the wrong numbers, and Lautoka did well and we are happy to have a brilliant team and there is more games and tournaments to come for 2024.”

The win marks a remarkable achievement for Lautoka, who have successfully defended their Fiji FACT title and cemented their status as one of Fiji’s premier football clubs. As they bask in the glory of their triumph, Lautoka looks ahead to future challenges and opportunities to grab more titles in the upcoming tournaments.