Defending champion makes perfect league start

DEFENDING champions Press made a perfect start to its title defence beating City United 4-0 during the opening round of the Lautoka Football Association Punjas-sponsored local league at Churchill Park yesterday.

Press, with a star-studded line-up which included Zibraz Sahib, Peni Finau, Jone Vonu Jr, Viliame Tabucala, Leone Vurukania and Joape Mudre proved too powerful for newcomers City United which was promoted to the Super Premier division this year.

City United's misery started early as they conceded an own goal following a corner kick.

Pauliasi Nagusa scored the second goal. Nadi's five a-side star player Mohammed Salmeen, who had been recruited by Press in the last transfer window, scored the third goal while Simon Jr sealed the win.

Lautoka rep Isikeli Jeke played for City United at sweeper but did not get much assistance to block the Press onslaught.

Mohammed Shazil Ali and Cyrus Singh, who were also part of the Blues squad, played for City United.

Press manager Jairus Ruben was happy with how his players managed to claim the three points.

Ruben said they needed to sharpen their strike force after missing numerous chances.

"The boys took time to settle but that happens in every first game that you play," he said.

Punjas Group marketing manager Gopal Jadhav officially opened the league and said the company had sponsored football previously but this was the first time that they were supporting the local league with a sum of $35,000.

"This is the richest local league competition in the country," he said.

Meanwhile the association has appointed a panel of selectors who will be scouting for talents during the competition.

They include Hanif Sahib, Narendra Naidu, Johnny Williams, Saten Phillip, Augustine Thoman, Tarik Bahadur and Ajinesh Prasad.