Nadi have defended their Fiji Pacifc Cup title by defeating the New Zealand Fiji Football Inc All Stars 1-0 in the final on Sunday.
In a repeat of last season’s finale, the two teams went toe-to-toe throughout match with both Nadi and NZFFI All Stars missing multiple opportunities throughout the first half.
It was only after a hand-ball in the box from Brian Kaltack that Nadi were able to gain the lead through Fiji U-20 captain Mataiasi Toma’s successful penalty kick.
NZFFI All Stars were awarded a penalty only minutes later after a foul inside the box from Toma but Nadi goalkeeper Vereti Dickson managed to save both Kaltack’s penalty shot and his follow up attempt from the rebound.
The 2016 edition of the Pacific Cup is Nadi’s fourth win since joining the tournament and their first on home soil after winning titles in New Zealand in 2012, 2013 and 2015.
Nadi team director Javed Ahmed said the 2016 title had extra significance.
“We have been winning this title away overseas and to win it on home soil is special,” he told the Fiji Times.
Verrti Dickson was awarded Player of the Tournament, Nadi’s Afraz Ali won the Find of the Tournament award and the Best Disciplined Team award was also given to Nadi.
Nadi will hope for their success to carry through to their next season, after falling short to Rewa and Ba for one of Fiji’s two places in an exanded 2017 OFC Champions League.
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