SCENES of jubilation played out at the Fiji Football Association’s academy grounds in Suva when the Ba women’s side beat Labasa 2-1 to claim the Fiji FA’s Women’s Inter-District Championship title yesterday.
It marked the end of a consistent quest by the women in black from the soccer crazy town after three intense days of competition in the capital city.
Sereana Naweni of Ba opened the winning account with a goal in the 45th minute while teammate Luisa Tamanitoakula added to that with another goal in the 65th minute.
Labasa’s only effort to contest the Ba advance was a goal made by Selai Nai in the 75th minute.
Ba made two substitutions in the match at the 55th and 73rd minute while Labasa made three changes; one at half-time, and the other two at the 73rd and 87th minute.
Ba head coach Charlene Lockington credited her team for the performance they delivered on the field and emphasised how the result exemplified their willingness to work hard and finish on a high note.
“When Labasa had scored, the message I had given them when they came for water break; we don’t want to be winners, we want to be champions because we’ve worked hard for it,” Lockington said.
“The girls have sacrificed a lot.”
Labasa coach Roneel Ram admitted the result was not desirable however he commended his team for the work they carried out.
“That was definitely not what I had expected but I’m very proud of the way my girls played keeping in mind Ba has got a very good set of experienced players laced with senior and national age category reps,” Ram said.
“These girls have really stood up and they have made me proud.”
