Ba beat Marist in O-League clash
FIJI football giants Ba FC have drawn
first blood in the Oceania Football Confederation O-League Group B
in front of a 17,000 crowd at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara,
Solomon Islands on Saturday.
Thanks to 36th minute strike from Osea Vakatalesau and a 57th
minute penalty scored by their goalkeeper Laisenia Tuba.
The Ba custodian silenced the frenzied crowd with a first half
spot kick as the Fijians went on to record a resounding 2-0
victory over Marist FC that sets them up in pole position and a
possible O-League finals berth.
Marist FC struggled to contain Ba during an enthralling match
despite a full stadium of parochial supporters urging them on. Ba
– battled hardened from their domestic Champion of Champion
campaign - proved far too strong for a Marist FC side struggling
out of their regular season for both fitness and form.
Marist FC coach Patrick Miniti said “This is not the way we would
have liked the match to end (losing 2-0) and we need to improve in
our next matches”.
Ba FC coach Yogendra Dutt was understandably happy to come away
from the Solomon Islands with maximum points.
“What we planned worked out for us and it’s all because of our
belief in ourselves. We played according to a plan and that was
exactly what we came here to do. We’ve played Marist FC now and so
our home match will be very interesting,” Dutt said.
Papua New Guinea referee Job Minan only booked one player – Finau
Peni of Ba, for a foul in the 65th minute. Ba FC sits atop Group B
with 3 points, AS Temanava sit in second spot but is yet to play a
game, with Marist FC last following this opening match day defeat.
