The Champions League marks the opening of the 2012/13 Fiji Football Association season and this year, unlike in the past, it features just two teams.
Fiji FA president Rajesh Patel says runners up have been included in the series in previous years but a decision was made to embrace the true concept of a Champions League – meaning a competition of winners.
“Ba and Suva were the only sides to win tournaments this season and it is fitting to see them clash in the championship,” he says.
Defending champions Ba have experienced a lot of success in the Champions League which in the past was known as the Champion vs. Champion series.
Labasa remain the only side to have ever beaten Ba in the Champions League while Suva have featured in the series in the past but fallen short.
The two sides’ last meeting, in the IDC Super Premier final, was marred with controversy as the match was abandoned with just two minutes of extra-time remaining.
A goal from Suva’s Waisake Navunigasau was followed by protests from Ba who then refused to play the remainder of the match.
Suva were eventually awarded the victory following a decision by the Fiji FA board of control during an emergency meeting held in the aftermath of the event.
The first leg of the Champions League will kick off at 4pm at Churchill Park in Lautoka while the second and final leg will be played on December 16 from 4pm at Govind Park in Ba.
The 2012/13 Fiji Sun/GP Batteries National Football League is also set to begin next weekend.
For more on Fiji football go to www.fijifootball.com.fj

Share