Fijian football giants Ba FC have drawn first blood in the OFC O-League Group B in front of a 17,000 crowd at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara, Solomon Islands today thanks to a 36th minute strike from Osea Vakatalesau and a 57th minute penalty scored by their goalkeeper Laisenia Tuba.

The Ba custodian silenced the frenzied crowd with a first half spot kick as the Fijians went on to record a resounding 2-0 victory over Marist FC that sets them up in pole position and a possible O-League finals berth.

Marist FC struggled to contain Ba during an enthralling match despite a full stadium of parochial supporters urging them on. Ba – battled hardened from their domestic Champion of Champion campaign – proved far too strong for a Marist FC side struggling out of their regular season for both fitness and form.

Marist FC coach Patrick Miniti said “This is not the way we would have liked the match to end (losing 2-0) and we need to improve in our next matches”.

Ba FC coach Yogendra Dutt was understandably happy to come away from the Solomon Islands with maximum points.

“What we planned worked out for us and it’s all because of our belief in ourselves. We played according to a plan and that was exactly what we came here to do. We’ve played Marist FC now and so our home match will be very interesting,” Dutt said.

Papua New Guinea referee Job Minan Ponis only booked one player – Finau Peni of Ba, for a foul in the 65th minute. Ba FC sits atop Group B with 3 points, AS Temanava sit in second spot but is yet to play a game, with Marist FC last following this opening match day defeat.

MARIST FC: Francis ARUWAFU; Martin RUHASIA, Joseph LANI, Jerry SAM, John WAYNE (Tome FAISI 37), Benjamin MELA, Sebastian MISIGA, Tinoi RATU (George AFIA 87), Gideon OMOKIRIO, Timothy JOE (Simon SAU 77), Samson TAKAYAMA.

SUBS NOT USED: Michael MISITANA, Lucian SIKWAAE, Mostyn BEUI, David HOUPERE.

Yellow cards: none

Red cards: none

BA FC: Laisenia TUBA; Shalen LAI, Roneel KUMAR, Jone VESIKULA, Josaia BUKALIDI (Tuimasi MANUCA 81), Robert WISE, Finau PENI, Kinivillame TURAGALAILAI (Ronald CHANDRA 60), Osea VAKATALESAU, Malakai TIWA (Avinesh SWAMY 65), Malakai KAINIHEWE.

SUBS NOT USED: Keni DOIDOI, Luke VIDOVI, Leone VURUKANIA, Epeli CODRO.

Yellow cards: Finau PENI 65.

Red cards: none

Goals: Osea VAKATALESAU 36, Laisenia TUBA 57 pen.

Referee – Job Minan Ponis (Papua New Guinea)

Assistant Referee – Nawen Hopken (Vanuatu)

Assistant Referee – Mahit Chilia (Vanuatu)

Fourth Official – Joakim Salaiau Sosongan (Papua New Guinea)

NEXT FIXTURES:

Tuesday 20th February, 2007 – Waitakere United (NZL) vs. AS Mont Dore (NCL) 6pm NZT

Friday 23rd February, 2007 – Auckland City (NZL) vs. AS Mont Dore (NCL) 6pm NZT

NEXT FIXTURE:

Friday 23rd February, 2007 – AS Temanava (TAH) vs. Ba FC (FIJ) 8pm local time

GOALSCORERS:

3 – Paul URLOVIC (AUK)

1 – Osea VAKATALESAU (BA), Laisenia TUBA (BA), Grant YOUNG (AUK), Danny HAY (WAI),

Commins Menapi (WAI)