From
Waita terminates Nasinu’s strength
By www.solomonstarnews.com
May 9, 2005 - 9:01:00 PM
ANOTHER Solomon Islands national soccer player playing for Nadi FC stopped the dominance of Nasinu FC in the Fiji FACT at the Prince Charles Park in Lautoka on Saturday.
National mid fielder and Agfa Hana player Stanley Waita took Nadi to the semi finals played last night.
However result of the semifinals were not available. Nadi, Nacap Hire/Southern Forest Navua, Ba and Mr Mobile Nadroga qualify for the semi-finals.
Nasinu which is dominated by Solomon Islanders namely Batram Suri, Alick Maemae, Paul Kakai Junior, Benjamin Totori, Kidston Billy and Robert Mafane failed to reach the semi final after the match ended in a brawl.
The match was eventually abandoned by the referee Munaf Basha and later awarded to Nadi after an emergency Fiji Football Association board meeting.
Fiji FA boss Dr Muhammed Shamsu-ud Dean Sahu Khan said they had studied the videotape of the match and made the decision from that and the referee’s report.
“We have seen the tape and the referee’s report said Nasinu refused to play so we have awarded the match to Nadi,” Sahu Khan said.
“We will later take further disciplinary action against all those involved and also Nasinu will have to pay the fine for walking out.”
With Standard Concrete Nadi leading 1-0 via Stanley Waita in the match, tempers flared in the second half.
After a Nasinu player fouled Waita, all hell broke loose at the grounds.
Players and officials from both camps went for each other after which Basha flashed the red cards to Rocky Sessiya and Jone Roko of Nasinu and Ponipate Naulu and Bakalevu Mocemaimereke of Nadi.
Attempts to restart the match were thwarted when another brawl started and Nasinu walked off.
Nasinu coach Shalesh Kumar said they didn’t want to play as there were other Nadi players who were involved and they should been red carded as well.
“All the best to Nadi but the referee should have had a better control of the match,” Kumar said.
Nadi boss Jiten Kumar said he instructed his players not to get involved further.
“We will miss the services of our two players in the semi-finals,” Kumar said.
Ba qualified after having defeated Lautoka 2-0 with goals from Roneel Kumar and Avinesh Swamy in its final pool match.
Coach Semi Tabaiwalu said it would be very hard for other teams to stop Ba from the semi-finals onwards.
“We lost the first game to Navua but we were never worried as we knew that we were going to make it,” Tabaiwalu said.
“We are ready to take on any team and ready to defend our title.”
Heading into the semi-finals Navua will start as the favorites after going through the tournament undefeated.
They beat Labasa 3-1 in their last pool match and president Anil Sharma said they were looking forward to taking the title they won in 2003 back to the Southern division.
“We have done well so far but the semi-finals will be a different ball game,” Sharma said.
“I have the faith in the players and they know about the task on hand.”
Tui Namosi Ratu Suliano Matanitobua who has been with the team since Thursday will rejoin the side today after attending to some commitments yesterday.
The former Fiji and Navua striker has been an inspiration for the Navuans. He is also accompanied by Ratu Epenisa Cakobau.
The duo had been approached by the Navua officials of Sharma, Faiyaz Ali and Jahir Khan to be with the team for the duration of the tournament and they obliged.
“We want to thank them for being with us,” Sharma said.
Nadroga will also be heading into the semi-finals with a strong line-up and coach Ramesh Sharma said they were ready to take on the best.
“We are ready for the semi-finals,” he said.
“But we don’t want to make any predictions as yet but we will do our talking on the field.
“I fielded a reserve side tonight (Saturday) against Suva as we wanted to give all the players match time.
“As for the semi-finals we will have all the players back.”
Nadroga rested the likes of Manoa Masi, Penaia Bale, Taniela Waqa and goalkeeper Afroz Nabi last night in their 0-2 loss to Suva.
The Stallions last won the tournament in 2001 at Lawaqa Park beating Labasa 7-6 on penalty kicks.
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