Kriz Signs Uciwai have been crowned NCC champions after star striker Waisake Sabutu’s two goals secured a 2-1 win over Grace Homebuilders United in the final at post Fiji
stadium.
The national representative was in superb form as he powered in a thunderbolt of a shot in the opening minutes before heading in the winner late in the second half.
Kamal Hassan equalised for United on the stroke of half-time but it wasn’t enough and saw Uciwai walk away with $2500 first place prize.
The loss was a tough pill to swallow for United who had lost in the final at the same venue last year.
Uciwai had a host of veteran names like goalie Netani Moce, Ponipate Naulu, Alipate Driu and Watisoni Voli along with Sabutu, Marika Rodu and Netani Momaivalu.
United had the likes of Tamanisau, Hassan, Epeli Junior, Samuela Vula, Jesoni Takala, Patrick Wise, Lisala Vetaukula, Jesoni Takala and Cama Qerewaqa.
The match started off with Uciwai putting pressure on the Reds and was rewarded early.
Sabutu rifled in the first goal with a stunner from about 40 metres which United keeper Uliasi Tamanisau could do nothing about.
Uciwai then went on to hit the post through a Voli pile driver and missed a few clear cut chances.
United then settled into the match and started to counter and was rewarded when Vetaukula managed to pounce on a blunder by the Uciwai defence and set up Hassan to make it 1-1 at
half time.
The second half was an open end to end affair but when Sabutu’s head met a corner from Rodu late in the second half the result was decided.
Defending champion GM United lost to Grace Home Builders United 2-1 in the semi final while Uciwai beat Gandhi Sports also from Nadi 2-0.
Sabutu said he was pleased to have scored and helped his side.
“We knew we could do it and there was a game plan we followed,” said Sabutu.
Meanwhile, Fiji Football Association chief executive Bob Kumar said the NCC this year will be held either in November or December.
“We had to hold it late as we had a tough schedule and commitments,” said Kumar. “We have set a November-December window for the NCC this year.”
The National League this year will also revert back to the old format of home and away. This will mean that teams will play each other twice.
However the nominee for the O League will be decided after the completion of the first round of games.
“There will also be no postponement even if a team has more than three players in the national team,” Kumar said.
“Only if the weather is not favorable of there are extreme circumstances will we postpone the league.”
The league starts next month.