O-LEAGUE PREVIEW: BA vs. TAFEA FC

BA – FIJI’S football champs Ba are all set to unleash its young talent when the side takes on Tafea FC from Vanuatu in the 2008 O League Group B
clash at Govind Park on Wednesday night.

The Men in Black will be without many of its key players and will depend on up-and-coming youngsters like goalkeeper Epeli Codro, Rinal Prasad, Daniel Krishneel, Niumaia Tagi, and Tuimasi Manuca
along with seasoned players such as Joeli Ranitu, Jone Vesikula and Shalen Lal and Josaia Bukalidi to start its campaign on a high.

Ba president Rishi Kumar said the absence of up to nine players from the side was a concern but the team was ready to show they have the
talent.

The biggest loss could be brothers Osea Vakatalesau and international skipper Peni Finau who have both taken up playing contracts in New Zealand
with NZFC club Youngheart Manawatu while Laisenia Tuba is yet to pay his $3000 fine for his part in a clash with a supporter following Ba’s 3-0 New World National League defeat against Labasa and
is suspended from all levels until he does so.

Malakai Kenihewe and Avinesh Swamy are injured following the Ba-Lautoka lNew World National League match and are doubtful to start while Luke
Voidovi is also away in New Zealand.

“We know it is a concern that we have most of our regulars missing,” Kumar said.

“However we want to start our campaign in the O League on a high and have faith in these young players.

“Once any player is selected for Ba they give in their 100 percent and we know the players we pick for this match will do so as well.

“We are not only playing for Ba but representing Fiji.”

Tafea FC drew 1-1 with Kossa FC of the Solomon Islands on Saturday and the result has given Ba an added boost to get the full points.

“The draw has seen both teams drop two points and we have to get the full points,” Kumar said.

“We are not underestimating Tafea and they will be a strong side.”

The Vanuatu champions have 11 players who represented Vanuatu at the recent South Pacific Games in Samoa.

Five were in the lineup which beat Solomon Islands 2-0 to win the bronze medal.

The likes of veteran goalkeeper David Chillia and Richard Iwai have played Ba before. This was when the duo were part of the Suva side some years
back.

Other notable names in the side include Fredy Vava, Samson Obed, Francois Sakama and Silas Namatak.

Tickets for the match are being sold at $5FIJ and $2FIJ for children under 12.

Match tickets available from Fiji FA or 4R Electrical.

– Indra Singh, Fiji Times.

2008 O-LEAGUE

GROUP B

MATCH DAY 2

Wednesday October 31st, 2007

Ba (FIJ) vs. Tafea FC (VAN)

Govind Park,

Ba,

Fiji

KICKOFF: 1900hrs (FIJT)

Live text updates available from www.oceaniafootball.com

BA: (from) 2. Avinesh SWAMY; 3. Shalen LAL; 4. Manoa MASI; 5. Rinal PRASAD; 6. Jone VESIKULA; 7. Tuimasi MANUCA; 8. Keni DOIDOI; 9. Josaia BUKALIDI;
10. Ronald CHANDRA; 11. Robert WISE; 13. Kiniviliame TURAGALAILAI; 14. Luke VIDOVI; 16. Malakai TIWA; 17. Malakai KAINIHEWE; 18. Semesa DOIDOI; 19. Leone VURUKANIA; 20. Niumaia TAGI; 21. Jone
SOROLO [gk]; 22. Epeli CODRO; 23. Krishna SAMI.

Coach: Yogendra DUTT

TAFEA FC: 1. David CHILIA; 2. Samson OBED; 3. Jacques MAFIL NAWAN; 4. Ephraim KALORIB; 5. Tom MANSES; 6. Fedy VAVA; 7. Moise POIDA; 8. Pita David
MAKI; 9. Jean Nako NAPRAPOL; 10. Richard IWAI; 11. Etienne MERMER; 12. Hubert NAKE; 13. Francois SAKAMA; 14. Waren Roger WAIWAI; 15. Ali SILAS; 16. Alphonse Welin QORIG; 17. Geoffrey Lego GETE; 18.
Silas NAMATAK; 19. Lorry THOMPSEN; 20. Alista KALIP; 21. Jason AVOCK; 22. Shem SIPAI; 23. Talom IARUELI; 24. Timothy JOB; 25. Titus NOAL; 26. Andrew MAHIT.

Coach: Michel KALO

2008 O-LEAGUE – GROUP B