Ba dedicates FACT win to late Billy Singh

NADI: Perennial Fijian powerhouse Ba has notched up another victory winning the Fiji FACT tournament in Nadi yesterday. The star studded outfit were too good for an outclassed Suva team in the end, winning the final 2-0 in front of a capacity crowd of over 10,000 at Prince Charles Park.

The team has dedicated their win to the late former Fiji and Ba coach Billy Singh who passed away last month. Ba, who is currently leading the national league, also walked away with the F$10,000 in prize-money on offer.

Led by first time captain Peni Finau, the `men in black' wreaked havoc on the Suva defence. Manoa Masi was the hero with two goals, the first capitalising on a bad clearance by a Suva defender and the second coming from the penalty spot when referee Leone Rakaroi punished a handball in the area by Suva's Jone Lati. His display was a statement to the national selectors after missing the cut for the recent World Cup qualifiers in Apia and Adelaide.

At half-time, Suva was dead and buried staring down a 0-2 deficit but did well to minimise the carnage in the second half with no addition to the score. Pita Rabo was a shining light in a losing cause. Earlier, Suva defeated Rewa in the semi-final 1-0 with Ba edging Nadi 6-4 in a high scoring and entertaining semi. Boosted by the inclusion of Solomon Islands internationals, Nadi failed to live up to the hype playing at home.