Lautoka has taken the early lead in the New World National Football League with a resounding 8-1 victory over Nadroga in the opening round over the weekend.

The Blues could have had more goals, but their marksmen were not sharp enough in front of goal.

Nadroga – who played in the Promotion/Relegation last season – is in big trouble if their performances do not improve as they have stern tests waiting in the wings against the big teams such as
Vodafone Ba and Labasa.

Nadroga goalkeeper Pramesh Prasad got a bizarre consolation goal as his long kick bounced over Lautoka’s veteran stopper Sikeli Seva.

Lautoka’s goals came from Jone Vona (2), Zibral Sahib (2), Simeli Naresia, Netani Momaivalu, Ronald and Kaushal Pillay.

In other matches, Rajnesh Raju got a brace of goals as the national beach soccer squad member helped Southern Forest Navua thump Nasinu 5-0.

The match at Thompson Park was one-way traffic and Navua showed that it will be a very different outfit this season.

With the inclusion of former Rewa reps Simione Tamanisau and Usaia Tadu along with Suva’s Apisai Smith, the hosts were in a class of their own.

Raju, who was the find of the beach football competition last year, was a handful for the Nasinu defenders, who found it hard to contain the power packed Navua X1. Pint sized Esala Ali got a
double while Monit Chand also added to the tally.

Labasa started its season with a well deserved 2-0 victory over Rewa at Subrail Park in Labasa yesterday.

Pita Bolaitoga was the star of the match with his two goals.The first goal came a minute before the half-time break and the skilful striker got his brace 30 minutes into the new spell.

The game was a tough one with a high level of fitness seen from players of both teams as they battled for 90 minutes.

The match which started on a competitive note marked the official opening 2008 league series where the winner of the first round earns a ticket to play in the O League.

A couple of players lacked the composure when the heat was on and were shown the red card. The referee gave the marching orders to Sandip Nair of Labasa and Ratu Semi Dileqa of Rewa after the
two players handled each other on the field midway the rough the second half.

 

 

New World National Football League Standings

Team

P W D L GF GA GD Pts
Lautoka 1 1
8
1 +7 3
Navua 1 1 5 0 +5 3
Labasa 1 1 2 0 +2 3
Rewa 1
1 0 2 -2 0
Nasinu 1 1 0 5 -5 0
Nadroga 1 1 1 8 -7 0
Suva                
Ba                
Tavua          
 
   
Nadi