SUVA WIN OVER BA SAVES SEASON

SUVA - NI-Vanuatu import Joseph Nimariau was the toast of the Suva side as they dumped Ba 2-1 in the New World National Football League at the National Stadium on Sunday.

The win saved Suva’s season and has seen the Whites qualify for the Super Six Series.

Suva joins Lautoka, Labasa, Nadi, Rewa and Ba in the Super Six while Navua has been relegated with Nadroga, Tavua and Nasinu to the Bottom Four.

In a match watched by more than 5000 fans, Nimariau and fellow Vanuatu rep Seimata Chillia took command of the Suva side.

Nimariau, who played his first match of the season in the 1-0 loss to Navua last week, showed he was getting to his best netted the winner in the 65th minute.

Suva's other goal came from Olympian Alvin Prasad after Ronald Lawrence had put Ba 1-0 in the first half.

Prasad scored on debut for Suva last year when they hosted Ba in the Champion versus Champion series.

His goal in the 46th minute gave Suva a 1-1 draw after trailing the match.

A through ball from Saimata Chilia caught the Ba defence napping and allowed Prasad to take goalkeeper Nicholas Lawrence on.

Running to the left post, he sneaked the ball past Lawrence on an angle.

"When I saw the ball in front me, I could see the net shaking. In my mind, I told myself that I needed to score," Prasad recalled.

"Before I went onto the field, I told the officials that I would score and I'm happy that I did.”

New Suva coach Allen Jesoni said his boys showed what they were capable of.

"Beating Ba is a great achievement. I'm sure the fans would be happy,” Jesoni said.

Ba coach Yogendra Dutt said his side's mistakes led to Suva's goals.

In other games played, Navua beat Nadroga 3-1.

Navua needed to win by at least five goals and hope that Suva lost to Ba but their win wasn’t enough.

Rajnesh Kumar (2) and Usaia Tadu scored the goals for Navua while veteran Pauliasi Gavidi scored for Nadroga.

Nasinu and Tavua got their first points of the season after playing out a 2-2 draw.

Nathan Kumar and Jone Serukalou scored for Nasinu before Tavua hit back with late goals through Sikeli Ralulu and Sakeasi Ravutabua.

Super Six Standings as of 5.5.08

Bottom Four Standings as of 5.5.08