Nadroga pipped Vatukoula 1-0 to clinch the South Auckland Rangers Soccer Club organised Battle of the Giants Soccer tournament recently.
The Lals Transport Ltd, Jay Bee Services , and AK Silk Screen Printers sponsored tournament saw 12 teams battling it out over three days.
Nadroga, who have been part of the tournament for the past four seasons recorded its first win in any major tournament and manager Nakul Deo was ecstatic and had heaps of praise for his young brigade.
Nadroga duo of Avneet Raju and Fadal Khan created havoc in the Vatukoula defence and it was the tireless efforts of Vatukoula’s sweeper Roneel Prasad and goalkeeper Masi Toetu that kept the score line to the minimal.
Vatukoula manager Bobby Khan was gracious in defeat and conceded that the better team of the day won and said that the contributing factor to the loss was the hard fought semi-final match with arch-rivals Rewa that drained his boys.
“We beat them in extra time and that game was our final.”
Nadroga, who travelled from Hamilton in all tournaments, came as underdogs in the BOG tournament and accounted for Bua 2-0, and drew with Rewa 2-2 in pool play before defeating Nasinu 3-2 in quarterfinals and Suva 2-1 in the semifinal.
Vatukoula, in their pool games, managed a draw with Dreketi, defeated Navua 2-0 and then disposed a youthful Ba team 3-1 in the quarter-finals before going the full distance with Rewa 3-2 in the semifinals.
Both teams displayed brilliant soccer and for those that turned up for the finals were never deprived of a exciting moment. The tournament was yet another successful story for tournament organizer Ayaaz Khan and it seems that more teams are interested in joining up for the next event.
The ground condition was perfect even though there was huge downpour on Friady and Saturday and as Nadroga team captain Mukesh Deo summed it: “it’s the best Auckland ground we have played in”.
There is probably a need for some more parking facilities and probably organising temproray stands will make it very pleasant for all.
Other awards that were given away:
Golden Boot : James Hoyt [ Suva]
Golden Ball : Roger Waiwai [Vatukoula]
Best Goalkeeper: Masi Toetu [Vatukoula]
Best Dressed Team: Team Nadi
Manager Award: Nakul Deo [Nadroga]
Fair Play Award: Dreketi
The next tournament under the SAR banner is the Local Masters Challenge for the Augustine Thoman Cup in mid January which will be in preparation for the International Masters Tournament during the Auckland Anniversary weekend.
“We are looking at going back to having one major veterans tournament in 2010 and all teams have shown their commitment to play under one banner and bring back the memories of yesteryears. I hope that some common sense will prevail and a grand tournament could be put up in January 2010.” – Ayaaz Khan
Teams that are interested to play in the Thoman Cup challenge are requested to register their interest with the SAR club president Albert Lal.