WET and slippery conditions denied Ba and Labasa maximum points in the first match of the 2019 Pillay Garments Champion vs Champion series at Churchill Park in Lautoka on Friday night.
Heavy rain just before kick-off made Churchill Park waterlogged especially on the sidelines however when it cleared out it did not favour either side as the match ended scoreless.
Ba had the better of the chances in both halves but it was Labasa goalkeeper Akuila Mateisuva who stood strong.
Mateisuva pulled off a one-handed stoppage in the first spell and played brilliantly in the second spell.
Ba hit the crossbar in the last ten minutes with Darold Kakasi failing to get his follow-up on target.
Ba co-coach Shalen Lal said it was their first game as a team.
“We have brought in some new players who we tried out tonight. So we have seen the areas that we need to work on before the next leg. We will work on our weakness and come back a better team.” Lal said.
“I know we can do well in our next game and we just need to convert those chances.”
Labasa coach Ronil Lal said both teams created chances to score.
“It was a good game,” Lal said. “We added numbers in midfield in the second half to close off any threat but overall I am happy with the result. We need to recover well for the next game.” Home and away goals apply in the series. In case of another scoreless draw a third match will be played.
The next game will be played tonight at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori .
Ba: Beniamino Mateinaqara, Micah Tommy, Darold Kakasi, Abbu Zahid, Benjamin Totori, Ilimotama Jese, Kishan Sami, Malakai Rakula, Samuela Drudru, Praneel Naidu, Laisenia Naoko.
Labasa: Akuila Mateisuva, Lino Ilesa, Ashnil Raju, Siotame Kubu, Ilisoni Lolaivalu, Ravnesh Karan Singh, Ratu Anare, Akeimi Ralulu, Ilisoni Tuinawaivuvu, Antonio Tuivuna, Taniela Waqa.
