Labasa ends Ba’s winning run

The Iliesa Lino-captained Extra Supermarkt Labasa football team ended their losing jinx at the newly refurbished Govind Park in Ba yesterday.

Playing one-touch football to baffle the Dayal’s Sawmillers Ba defence, Labasa secured a 2-1 win in their Extra Premier League clash.

It was former Ba striker France Catarogo who made the difference when he drew first blood in the 11th minute as Labasa led 1-0 at halftime.

In the second half, the visitors extended the lead to 2-0 from a Navitesh Kumar goal.

Backed by their vocal supporters Ba pulled a goal back in the 60th minute when Gabriel Emmanuel was brought down in the penalty boxer by Labasa defender Thomas Steiner.

Emmanuel made no mistake with his attempt as they trailed 2-1.

The host pressed on to score the equaliser but the Labasa defence stood tall.

“We came prepared for this game,” Labasa captain and defender Lino said.

“The boys know how important it is to play Ba on their home ground.

We trained hard in Labasa.

“Ba is a good team, and it still is. Hats off to the boys for the performance. We had a game plan to control the midfield and it worked.”

Meanwhile, Nasinu caused the biggest upset of the weekend by beating host Nadi 1-0 at King Charles Park yesterday.

Results

Nadroga 2-3 Lautoka, Nadi 1-2 Nasinu, Navua 4-1 Tailevu/Naitasiri.