Labasa On Track For Top 8, Thrashes Ba 3-0 At Home

The Johan Leewai coached Labasa football team is on track to qualify for the Digicel Fiji Fact after a morale boosting 3-0 thrashing of Ba at Subrail Park yesterday.

Only the Top 8 teams at the end of round seven of the Fiji Digicel Premier League will qualify for the Fiji Fact tournament.

The match is the Babasiga Tigers’ first consecutive back-to-back win after edging Tailevu Naitasiri 2-1 in Round 4.

Labasa now have seven points from five DPL games has climbed up to fourth position on the points table.

Two penalty goals in the first half and a counter attack goal gave the Babasiga men the important three points.

What happened ?

The game started on a high note for the Labasa side as they controlled majority of ball possession and created numerous goal scoring chances.

Constant pressure on the Ba goalmouth led to the Lions getting a penalty, and Labasa forward, Lekima Gonerau, made no mistake to score within 10 minutes.

The second goal was scored in a similar fashion with midfielder, Ashnil Raju, fouled inside the 18-yard box.

Labasa striker, Rusiate Doidoi, once again converted from the penalty spot in the final 15 mins of the first half.

Second half- Labasa was a totally outfit and seemed as favourites throughout the game despite winning just one DPL this season.

Ba had a few chances of their own, but, the last line of the Lions players held their defense well.

The Men-in-black, Ba, striker, Ratu Anare and veteran forward, Malakai Tiwa tried to penetrate the Labasa defence, but, failed.

Labasa robust player, Akeimi Ralulu, sealed the deal with a wonderful tap shot which left the Ba defence scrambling.

Labasa coach, Leewai, was impressed by his player’s determination to beat a champion team like Ba.

"We came prepared with a plan to win and executed our game plan well".

He said the win would improve their chances to qualify for the Fiji Fact tournament.

Leewai thanked Ba for a tough battle and believed the good start and ability to build momentum worked well.

Other players like younstar, Shivam Shandil, goal keeper, Simone Tamanisau and Sitiveni Rakai, played a gallant game.

Ba Coach, Imdad Ali, was a disappointed man and was furious at the decisions made by the match referee.

Ali claimed their side lost because of continous favoritism by the referee, who he said was from Labasa.

"We received yellow cards for fouls which were questionable, however, when Labasa players fouled, they were spared.

He added the ground condition was in a horrible state to play football.

It was the first defeat for Ba in the DPFL this season.

Story By: Sampras Anand

Feedback: Sampras.anand@fijisun.com.fj