Babasiga Lions Score Comeback Win
Hosts Labasa fought back from a 1-0 deficit to beat a 10-men Ba side 2-1 in the Vodafone Premier League clash at Subrail Park yesterday.
What happened: Playing under slippery conditions affected both teams as they tried hard to adapt to the situation. In their frustrations, the match became scrappy with Ba’s Meli Codro copping a yellow card in the 7th minute.
Labasa had a few anxious moments as they defended desperately as Ba dominated possession and were played an attacking game.
Continuous pressued paid off in the 22nd minute when Ba striker Samuela Nabenia slotted in the first goal.
Both teams tried hard but disaster struck when Codro got his second yellow card followed by a red in the 47th minute
-
- Meli Codro of Ba (right) defends against Labasa during the Vodafone Premier League clash at Subrail Park, Labasa on March 3, 2018. Photo: Wati Talebula
-
- Ba defender Kishan Sami (left) and Iliesa Nayasi battle for the battle at Subrail Park, Labasa on March 3, 2018. Photo: Wati Talebula
Halftime: Labasa 0-1 Ba
With a man advantage Labasa came back firing in the second spell.
They dominated play but at times they lost their cool which saw Christopher Wasasala, Iliesa Lino and Edwin Sahayam receiving yellow cards.
Wasasala scored the equaliser soon after that, against the run of play as there was a lapse of concentration in the Ba defence.
Sensing an upset win was possible the Babasiga Lions piled on the pressure and it was midfielder Edward Sahayam that scored the winner towards the end of the match.
Comments: Labasa coach Bal Sanju Reddy said: “I’m proud of how the players played today. We were desperate for a win since Ba is not an easy team to play with but the boys did well.”
Ba manager, Arvin Singh said “The game should not have been played because of the poor ground condition. I’m very disappointed with the referee and the linesmen.”
Edited by Leone Cabenatabua
Feedback: wati.talebula@fijisun.com.fj
