Labasa Not Easy To Beat: Khan
Farmtrac Tractors Labasa is not an easy team to beat when it comes to tournaments.
These were comments of Ba Football Association president Amzad Khan while they prepare to battle in the second Punjas Battle of the Giants semifinals at Churchill Park in Lautoka on Saturday.
All in One Builders Nadi will play Rewa in the first semi-final at 2pm while Labasa take on Ba at 4.30pm.
Khan said the Babasiga Lions side has been consistent with its performance the past few tournaments.
“We’re looking at a very tough semifinal,” Khan said.
“Labasa is a tournament team; they have been very consistent.
“For Ba this is the youngest team we have prepared. We used to field a team of experienced players in previous tournaments.
“Average age in our side is 23-years-old.
“We have lost key players; we’ve lost about six players in the last transfer window.
“But hats off to the current Ba players who played very well in the pool games,” Khan added.
Khan is calling on Ba fans to turn up in numbers on Saturday to cheer up the Men In Black to boost their performance.
“Ba has not tasted victory for a long time,” he said.
“Most of these players are playing in a tournament for the first time.
“Preparation has been well, there are some injuries that need to be cleared; about eight players were sent for medical checkup, some need massaging.
“We are awaiting the physiotherapist’s report.
Ba has missed the services of Nabil Begg and Fazil Ali who have been selected national Under-19 side.
Ba has won the most number of BOG titles winning the title 17 times.
Ba last won the BOG in 2018 when they beat Suva 2-0 at the same venue.
The first BOG was held in 1978 at Govind Park, Park where Nadi beat Ba 1-0 in the final.
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