LABASA OPTIMISTIC OF WINNING
The Labasa football men’s coach, Ravneel Pratap, has described the Digicel Fiji Fact football tournament pool draw an opportunistic one which sets the platform to win a title at home.
The Northerners host the tournament at Subrail Park in Labasa from May 31-June 2 (Group stages) and knockout (June 8-9).
The host is grouped in Pool B alongside Digicel Fiji Premier League leaders, Rewa, league fourth placed Navua and underdogs, Nasinu.
Speaking with Sunsports exclusively, Pratap said with the pool draws not completed, he would try to map out a plan to counter these teams as each presents a different challenge.
“There is no more easy teams in the Premier division now as we saw a top side like Suva miss out on the tournament,” he said. Unfortunately, due to the eightteam rule for the tournament, for the first-time Suva would not be playing in the Fiji Fact while bottom-placed Tailevu Naitasiri also miss out.
Pratap believed with a few weeks remaining before the tournament starts, he would start working with the side to prepare a formidable side to win the title.
“We have to polish up on some areas such as maximising goal scoring opportunities, and defensively we have to be strong,” he said.
The Babasiga Lions have performed well in the league this season and ranked second with 18 points from nine games.
The determined coach said with home ground and crowd support on their side, they would try to utilise as their 12th man on the field. The Labasa Sangam College teacher, Pratap, believes, his got the players that reclaim Labasa’s lost glory of winning tournaments. The last time a tournament was played in Labasa was during the 2020 Fiji Fact where Suva thumped Labasa 3–1 in the semi-final.
Many fans have taken to social media to commend Pratap’s recent success rate with Labasa side.
Under Pratap’s leadership this season, Labasa have lost only once to Rewa 2-1 away in Viti Levu.
Their last game at home, they drew with Ba in Round 8 of the league 3-3, scoring the equalising goal at the stroke of full-time.
So they remain unbeaten at home this season.
In preparation for the Fiji Fact, Labasa Town Council special administrator chairperson, Paul Jaduram, said Subrail Park main ground is closed for preparation.
Mr Jaduram added the $40,000 worth of installation of new floodlights by May 15 would enhance the night visibility during games.