Fijian champions, Suva suffered a 3-2 defeat to UNV FC of Vanuatu in their second match of the OFC Futsal Men’s Champions League 2024 in New Caledonia last night.
Suva dominated the first half and took an early lead through Aman Naidu from close range in the 4th minute.
By contrast UNV FC after a couple of tough matches appeared flat and were reduced to a couple of long-range efforts before a thunderbolt from Lucas Sarvanu in the 14th minute levelled the scores.
The second half was a cagey affair with few clear-cut chances.
Kawol Tabilebo fired UNV FC in front with just over five minutes remaining and when Suva FC took out their goal-keeper in a bid to find an equaliser, UNV Keeper Sterry Tor fired the ball from his own line into the empty net to secure the three points.
However, Suva was determined to fight until the very end and Captain Rajneel Singh scored an incredible goal in the final 5 seconds of the game.
The result still means UNV FC will have to win their final Group game against Tonga’s Veitongo FC and hope other results go their way, to make Sunday’s title decider.
Suva is also still in the running despite the defeat but will probably have to beat both Mataks FC from the Solomon Islands local side AS PTT to make the final.
