Published in The Fiji Times on Tuesday, June 14, 1994
Ba coach Josateki Kurivitu made his conclusion last night after a touch of class and brilliance from mesmerising Ba duo Esala Masi and Arjun Pillay set up a three-nil victory over Nadroga in the North/West tournament at Churchill Park.
“I always never liked to over-rate players but this is one instance where I can’t help but admit that Arjun and Esala are the best midfield combination I have seen in a long time,” the former Ba rep said.
It was a well and truly justified conclusion for the moment after the duo’s deadly performance against the defending champion.
Their absence from the team in its semi-final clash against Nadi became a big midfield handicap and was blamed for the risky penalty 5-3 shootout the match ended in.
But once back in, it was Ba all over most of the time.
“We never got to use them together for any full match and when we finally did, they proved themselves…and more than enough, I believe, to convince everyone here.”
Masi was exceptionally at his best, virtually tearing his way around at will in midfield trying to set up goals for strikers Taito Bula and Manoa Masi.
The national midfielder faced a very strong challenge from the man who last held that position, Mosese Jese, whose aggressive football and solid defence time and again turned the game into attack.
But good thinking and distribution got Ba its second North/West tournament win, the new Fiji Football Association Cup and $1000 prizemoney.
Nadroga compared its loss to that of Ba’s victory after youth reps Orisi Vunisa and Iferemi Kubukawa unveiled promising skills against the more experienced reps.
Striker Radike Nawalu did not have the click-combination and worked overtime trying to break through the national team backline of Epeli Rokoqica, Meli Delai and Valerio Nasema who were assisted by Jope Namawa.
It was Esala’s through balls to overlapping Pillay on the flank that opened the gap in the Nadroga defence.
A defensive error cost Nadroga the first goal, taken by Pillay from a freekick inside the penalty box.
Goalkeeper Josateki Kurivitu, who played an outstanding game during the tourney, could not stop the low volley which sliced in, in the 25th minute.
A second midfield error by Ramend Datt in the second spell gave Pillay enough time to crossover to Manaoa who collected the deflected ball, took it straight to Kurivitu, turned inches before him and shot home.
The goal was enough fuel to fire up the Ba pack and Nadroga, which beat Tavua 4-3 on penalty shootout in the semi, was breathless keeping up with the pace of the game.
Pillay closed the game with his lightning goal in the dying minutes after Esala crossed a beautifully dummied ball to the edge of the penalty box.
Kurivitu reacted a bit late to Pillay’s swinging right foot which sent the ball high into the net.
His Ba namesake said that though he played well, the show belonged to Iosefo Vosaboto.
“They both played a good game but Sefo stood his ground well in this match,” Kurivitu said.
“We all knew this would be the biggest test for us for the BOG (Battle of the Giants) and after this win, we know where we stand,” he added.
“It is where we always were before and maintaining it will mean it will be hard stopping the boys next month.”
Lautoka won the Under-15 final over Rakiraki with a 6-4 penalty shootout win after both sides were drawn two-all in extra time.
