“MEN IN BLACK” NEED TO BOUNCE BACK AGAINST LAE CITY DWELLERS ON TUESDAY

The Ronil Kumar-coached Vodafone Ba side needs to regroup and bounce back to keep their hopes alive for a quarterfinal spot in the OFC Champions League 2018.

This was after the ‘Men In Black’ lost 0-1 to host Nalkutan FC in the opening Group A clash at Korman Stadium in Port Vila, Vanuatu yesterday.

The ‘Men in Black’ will be without midfield general Malakai Tiwa when they play Lae City dwellers of Papua New Guinea in the second round of the OFC Champions League on Tuesday.

Tiwa was handed his second yellow card by the referee after a hand ball offence in the penalty box in the 64th minute which reduced the visitors to 10 men.

Striker James Naka slotted the winning goal beating Ba goalkeeper Josaia Ratu.

Five minutes later Joses Nawo of Nalkutan FC was also flashed a direct red card.

Ba had the services of veterans Avinesh Suwamy, Meli Codro, Laisenia Raura, Saula Waqa, Samuela Naibenia, Sitiveni Cavuilagi and skipper Abbu Zahid.

The Moses Poida had the services James Naka, Nelson Sale, Raoul Coulon, Joses Nawo and Jeffery Tes.

Nalkutan FC was a better side and created numerous scoring opportunities.

The onus now rest on Ba to make the quarterfinal stage by winning its two remaining matches.

Tiwa cops a two-match suspension for his red card offence.

In the other matches yesterday, Lae City Dwellers FC (PNG) hammered Tupapa Maraerenga (Cook Islands) as Raymond Gunemba scored four goals in the 7-2 drubbing.

Edited by Osea Bola

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