Rewa won the Battle of Giants (BoG) title Championship at the final match held on September 22 in Sydney.
The BoG Tournament kicked off the 2013 Fiji Soccer Season in this major Australian City with the initial matches held on September 18, followed by semi-finals in the ensuing days.
It was the second title for Rewa in seven years as six popular Ex-Rewa veteran representatives, who had been playing for various teams in Sydney, returned to their home team with a mission to lift the silverware.
Amongst those who adorned in Red jersey again were Wasim Ali (also an Ex-Fiji Youth Rep), Ilfaz Ali (Fajju), Shalend Prasad, Surya Singh, Nacanieli Valekevakeva and Sameer Ali (also an Ex-Suva and Fiji Rep). Most of the players have constantly won championships with their previous teams and were keen to have an impact on the 2013 new look Rewa premier team.
Great defence
Rewa demonstrated excellent combination of soccer intelligence and physical capability. The team was blessed with one of the best defence in the Tournament with Wasim in goal, and Sameer and Shalend as the two centre backs.
Throughout the tournament, there was just a single goal scored against the mighty Rewa team. Other former Reps including Fajju, Surya and Nacanieli also displayed brilliant performance to showcase their individual talents, which gave them their district honours while back in Fiji.
In the pool matches, Rewa comfortably beat Nadrgoa 2-1 and had a narrow 1-0 win over Nadi. Stiff competition came from Labasa in the quarterfinals as both teams were locked in a nil-all after extra time. However, Rewa was able to establish its supremacy with penalty shootouts. The semi-final saw a comfortable 2-0 win over Savusavu, which mentally prepared the team against the tournament’s giants, Ba, for the grand final.
Superb guidance
The final was the match of the Tournament, since throughout the pool matches and qualifiers, Rewa’s support had grown in numbers. Rewa knew it was up against a team that usually is favourite at any tournament.
Under the guidance of the veteran players, Rewa continued to display a disciplined performance, ensuring that all players remained calm despite pressure placed on them and concentrated on teamwork.
From the start, both teams played to win at any cost, but it was the experience of the defence line and goalkeepers that kept the match scoreless even after extra time.
It was during the penalty shootout that Rewa’s Goalkeeper and Captain Wasim proved that he was the Goalkeeper and the Player of the Tournament.
Coach Sameer Ali nominated Surya as the Number One penalty taker of the team.
Sydney Sanatan Champ
Vatukoula was the Runners-Up at its first Sanatan Soccer Tournament in Sydney in 2012. Vatukoula team has Hindu players from Sydney’s Dreketi team, which has some of the best talented youngsters in Australia.
At this year’s Sanatan Soccer Tournament held from September 27 to 29, 2013, Vatukoula defeated an experienced Brisbane side in the final.
Vatukoula had one of the youngest players in the tournament, including 15-year-old Jason Kumar, who showed excellent football skills for his age.
Arveen Sharma is Senior Procurement/Contract Management Officer at the Treasury Directorate of the Federal Government of Australia based in Canberra.
Photo :
1. BoG Champions Rewa ‘Red’ Veterans
2. The victorious Vatukoula Team at Sydney Sanatan
