OFC News

Fijian champions Ba have put their 2007 O-League Final pain behind them following a 1-0 win over Labasa in the Fiji Bitter FACT Final at Govind Park yesterday.

Malakai Tiwa's 14th minute strike handed Ba its fourth consecutive Fiji FACT title and at the same time swept aside the agonising disappointment of O-League Final defeat against Waitakere United.

Tiwa combined expertly with Josaia Bukalidi to tear the Labasa defence asunder before he applied a composed and expert finish beyond goalkeeper Shamal Kumar.

Labasa and Fiji U-20 strike hero Roy Krishna was in outstanding form and his pace caused the Ba defence a myriad of problems with Ba skipper Malakai Kainihewe struggling to halt the speedy youngster.

Labasa could have done with Krishna's incisiveness in front of goal with Pita Bolaitoga missing a glorious chance with only Laisenia Tuba to beat after he latched onto a perfect Krishna cross.

Ba punished Labasa for their wastefulness in front of goal when Tiwa scored but they were equally at fault when Osea Vakatalesau - the subject of a possible transfer to a New Zealand club - thrashed a shot against the post with defender Sandeep Nair and goalkeeper Shamal Kumar involved in a desperate mix-up.

As the match progressed toward it's final moments there were a spate of yellow cards with Kiniviliame Naika and Peni Finau booked for Ba.

Labasa's Roy Krishna, Jope Lomu and Epeli Deyama joined Naika and Finau in the referee's notebook.

Ba's victory gave the 'Men in Black' an F$11,000 prize purse in front of 10,000 fans.

Ba: Laisenia Tuba, Malakai Kainihewe, Peni Finau, Jone Vesikula, Robert Wise (Avinesh Swamy), Malakai Tiwa (Keni Doidoi), Roneel Kumar, Kiniviliame Naika, Shalen Lal, Josaia Bukalidi (c) (Ronald Chandra) , Osea Vakatalesau.

Labasa: Shamal Kumar, Sandeep Nair, Apisalome Turuva, Epeli Deyama, Jope Lomu, Pita Bolaitoga, Thomas Vulivuli (c), Henry Dyer, Waisale Rasoki (Dinesh Mudaliar), Roy Krishna, Maciu Dunadamu