The Delta Tigers proved indeed that they are back to their usual form winning their second major tournament in a row. Earlier this year the Airpro Services sponsored Rewa side won the Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants tournament.
It is the Delta Tigers’ second major title in a row – earlier this year they took out the Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants competition.
Backed strongly by their vocal support, Rewa found themselves up 2-0 within the first twenty minutes, thanks to goals by Solomon Islander Abraham Iniga and Epeli Saukuru.
Lautoka replied within minutes through Jone Vono Junior following a blunder by the Rewa defence.
But Rewa began the second half just as they had started the first and Iniga struck again in the 48th minute for their third. That goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of Lautoka and they never looked like hauling the game back from there.
Rewa president Pranil Singh says his players deserve all the credit for their victory.
“All the players knew what to expect and they delivered. The boys were committed from day one and discipline was the key factor in winning this tournament,” he says.
It is the first time in nine years that Rewa have won the title and coach Manoj Kumar says everything went to plan in the final.
“I had told the boys that Lautoka were going to be tough and the plan was to work on the counter attack in the first spell. We were defending a lot in the first half but we took a few options that saw us score.
“We changed the strategy in the second half and opted to hold the ball as Lautoka were playing catch-up football.”
Rewa last won the Courts IDC back in 2001 at the same venue.
Skipper Simione Tamanisau was named the best player of this year’s competition while Iniga was rewarded with the golden boot for his six goals. Peniame Drova was the new find of the tournament.
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