KOSSA V BA (Play by Play and Photo Gallery)

HONIARA – Kossa lead Ba by two goals to nil in front of a crowd of 11,000 with just a few minutes remaining at Lawson Tama Stadium. At least three or four thousand fans are
watching the match from outside the stadium from surrounding trees and hillside desperate to hear news of the match.

James Naka’s reputation as one of Solomon Islands rising stars has been confirmed with a virtuoso display from the Beach Soccer hero with co-star roles for Reg Davani and Joe
Luwi for Kossa.

Ba has struggled to get out of first gear since conceding two quick goals in the first half.

OFC O-LEAGUE

GROUP B

STANDINGS – 25.02.08

TEXT UPDATES

0’- The anthems are played as the two teams prepare for this crucial O-League match

1’- Ba takes the early initiative pinning Kossa back in its own half.

2’- Davani latches onto a loose Ba pass and heads for goal but a strong challenge from Tiwa sees the ball run away from the PNG international and into the arms of Sorolo.

3’- It’s a free-kick to Kossa deep in its own defensive third

4’- Davani and Kainehewe are having a battle royale in the Ba penalty area but the ball breaks clear and hits the upright – the crowd roars its approval – but the danger is
cleared.

5’- Long ball forward by Ba centre back Jone Vesikula is won by Kossa and Joe Luwi picks up the loose ball but is tackled by Shalen Lal.

6’- Ba are in disarray as Kossa get all the early running

7’- GOAL! A cross from the left is bundled home by a Ba defender and its 1-0 to Kossa!

11’– GOAL! Kossa have gone two up as Ba’s defence disintegrates as James Naka sends Lawson Tama delirious with joy

15′- Long range shot from Naka strikes the Ba upright and goes out for a goal kick

16’- Ba has had the stuffing knocked out of it after Kossa’s blistering start

17’- Davani chases down Kiniviliame Turagalailai and it’s a throw for Kossa

21’- Malakai Tiwa is looking for the ball but his teammates are posted missing in action

25′- Ba seem resigned to defeat already with coach Yogendra Dutt looking less than impressed from the dugout

28′- Takayama makes an interception off the feet of Josaia Bukalidi

29′- Shalen Lal makes a surging run forward from the right back position

31′- Mahlon Maemania wins an aerial challenge from Doidoi

34′- Kossa striker Joe Luwi is left in a heap after a bone jarring challenge from Shalen Lal

35′- Kossa’s free-kick is bent into the Ba area and Sorolo makes a flailing save and earns his own freekick after a hefty challenge by Naka

37′- A Ba freekick is punched clear by Severino Aefi and Tome Faisi breaks away for Kossa but the attack is defended

38′- Luwi, Naka and Davani have been an ever present danger for Ba and it looks all too easy for Kossa at this stage

42′- The home crowd are enjoying Ba’s plight – its difficult to see a way back for the Fiji champions if they continue to play like this

44′- Some thrilling interplay by Luwi and Naka result in Ba hacking the ball off their own goal line – Kossa retrieve possession and Luwi evades two challenges including lacing
the ball between the legs of Kainihewe but Kossa send their shot wide

45′- Ba make one last attack but it comes to nothing as referee Peter Green brings the half to a close

HALFTIME: KOS 2, BA 0

46′- The match restarts with Ba determined to find a way back into this O-League match

50′- Veskula plays a 60 metre pass for Keni Doidoi who chests the ball down but is tackled by Omokirio

53′- Ba still struggling to find their way back into this match – they desperately need goal to restore some self-belief

55′- Davani is put through on goal but his first touch is too heavy and Sorolo claims for Ba

57′- Excitement as Joe Luwi goes on a jinking run but the ball is out for a goal-kick – this game could have more goals in it yet, most likely for the home side

58′- Naka is tormenting Avinesh Swamy this afternoon and had the crowd on their feet after speeding away from his marker

59′- Sensational stuff from Ba – a cross from the right hand side to the far post finds Bukalidi whose cushioned header pings off the upright to safety – a real let off for
Kossa

64′- Davani earns Kossa a free-kick after Swamy stopped dead in is tracks believing the ball had gone out before scything the PNG international down

65′- Takayama and Tuimasi Manuca go up for an aerial challenge with Takayama winning cleanly

67′- The Ba keeper races off his line to shut down Davani and the clearance falls to Naka who tries an audacious shot from 50 metres out that has Vesikula chasing the ball into
the empty net before clearing off the line

73′- Davani evades a challenge and crosses but it is cut out by Swamy

75′- Ba go in search of a goal but the final pass has let them down all too often

78′- Ba hit the upright – this sums up the Fiji champions efforts today – the difference between the two teams has been the sharpness of Luwi, Davani and Naka

83′- Ronald Chandra shoots from 25 metres out but it is high, wide and handsome as the crowd helps the ball on its way with a celebratory cheer

84′- Australian soldiers patrol Lawson Tama Stadium sporting automatic weapons as this O-League match crawls toward what looks like a Kossa victory

86′- The match has had an air of the inevitable about it since Kossa scored those two quick goals at the start of the match – but there is excitement as Luwi is
denied by Sorolo.

89′- YELLOW CARD – Ba defender Shalen Lal receives a card for a hefty challenge on James Naka – this just about sums up the afternoon for Ba

90′- The 90 minutes are up at Lawson Tama Stadium and we are going to have at least two extra minutes of time added on

90+2′- Cries of “Go Kossa Go!” rise up around the ground as the fans sense the home side has secured three valuable OFC O-League points in the bag – an injury to Ba goalkeeper
Jone Sorolo and the stretcher has been called for…with Tuba out with a knee injury this could spell trouble for Yogendra Dutt…