BY ROMULUS HUTA
BENJAMIN Totori’s impressive performance in recent matches has given the Lautoka coach good confidence ahead of the kick off of their oceania champions league campaign that will get underway this weekend.
Lautoka coach Kamal Swamy said he’s pleased so far with the performance displayed by Totori in their last two matches.
Last weekend, Lautoka was losing 1-0 to Suva in the first half.
However, they regrouped in the second half and Totori managed to score two goals to pip Suva 2-1 and won the match.
Swamy said such attitude is what he wants his players to have.
“I think I like having players with winning mentality. Totori’s two goals come with a lot of good message in it. Although we’re losing but Totori still has the faith to continue to press and was fortunate to score the two goals.
“This performance gives me good confidence ahead of the Champions League competition that will begin this weekend.”
Lautoka was drawn in Oceania Champions League’s pool of death Group C with the defending and eight-time champions Auckland City FC, Papua New Guinea runner-up Madang FC and AS Venus from Tahiti.
Swamy said they have been working on their mistakes to improve for the O’League.
“We are going to the O-league and we have some injuries and look at the mistake in the last game,” he said.
“There were some weakness we have to work on Right and left midfielders were not giving thrust in the attack that is one area we can capitalize on.”
“Benjamin Totori and Brian Kaltack have been playing well and gelling with the boys well so it is good to understand what’s Fijian soccer is all about now. They have given us a lot of experience.”
Meanwhile, the team management is yet to finalise travel documents for forward Zibraaz Shahib.
Lautoka will play their opening match against Madang in Auckland this Sunday.
