“Tabia is very good in terms of attack on the counter and set piece play, and my boys were fully aware of that threat”.
Batinikama Muslim football side with the 11th Vanua Levu Muslim Sports Tournament trophy after defeating Tabia 2-0, on September 24, 2023. Photo: Sampras Anand
The Batinikama Muslim football side dethroned defending champions, Tabia, 2-0, to lift the 11th Digicel sponsored Vanua Levu Muslim Sports tournament title in Labasa, on Sunday.
More than 5000 fans turned up on the final day of the 10-day tournament as Batinikama walked away $3000 richer.
Batinikama coach, Ravneel Pratap, said they won because they managed the game well against a strong Tabia side.
“We thank God Almighty for the victory today (Sunday) for the strength and endurance to last the tournament,” Pratap said.
Pratap said the win was the result of hard work players did at training, their sacrificing their family and personal time to be with the team.
“The game plan for the final was to defend well and minimise any counter attacks from Tabia,” he said.
“Tabia is very good in terms of attack on the counter and set piece play, and my boys were fully aware of that threat”.
Australian based and former Labasa senior men’s player, Sohail Khan, played a stellar game and scored a wonderful goal through a powerful header in the second half.
Batinikama player, Maqtar, who lives in Suva opened the scoring in the final.
“We last won the title in 2017, so this victory is sweet especially beating the champion, Tabia in the final,” he said.
Tabia playing in their third consecutive final, failed to settle from the first whistle.
Losing coach, Mohammed Imran, said he was satisfied with his players’ performance.
“I believe the pressure of defending our title was another factor behind the loss,” Imran said.
Imran said the early goal against them disturbed (10th minute) their game plan; the players failed to settle down.
“We will try our best to reclaim our title next year and our preparation starts now,” he indicated.
Misunderstanding and lapse of concentration led to the second goal being scored and such pressure saw the Tabia outfit wear out.
Story by: sampras.anand@fijisun.com.fj
