Suva (Fiji Times) – BA made a bright start to its Courts Inter District Championship campaign defeating Nadroga 2-0 at Prince Charles Park in Nadi on Sunday.
The score line did not reflect well on the overall performance of the Stallions which also had numerous chances of scoring.
In fact it was Nadroga that went into attack from the opening and rattled the Ba defence.
Nadroga with the inclusion of players from Lautoka such as Leisari Qalica, Cyrus Singh and Andrew Naicker combined well.
Ba goalkeeper Josaia Ratu made a desperate acrobatic dive to tap the ball over the crossbar.
Nadroga with the wind behind them played long balls inside the Ba territory.
However Ba with its experienced players finally showed their class from set piece play.
A corner kick in the 12th minute was nodded in by lanky defender Josefata Neibuli.
Ba doubled its account in the 36th minute following another corner kick after Nadroga goalkeeper Sakeo Taganeca spilled the ball in Malakai Tiwa’s part who easily tapped it in. Nadroga coach Ramesh Sharma said they had short preparation time with the new players coming on board.
“The boys from Lautoka played well but need more time to get to know the other boys in the squad,” he said.
Ba coach Imdad Ali said the ground condition was bumpy.
Ali said they used the right strategies to secure the three points.
“It was a good game but the ground condition wasn’t very good and the ball was bouncing around,” he said.
Ba: Josaia Ratu, Alvin Singh, Josefata Neibuli, Kiniviliame Naika, Malakai Rakula, Remueru Tekiate, Avinesh Waran Suwamy, Malakai Tiwa, Meli Codro, Laisenia Raura,Samuela Nabenia.
Nadroga: Sakeo Taganeca, Sireli Vosa, Leisari Qalica, Krishneel Dutt, Andrew Naicker, Cyrus Singh, Gerard Voi, Ravinesh Dass, Anish Khem, Shivneel Sharma, Shalvin Singh.
