BA was crowned the new champion of the Fiji FA Women’s IDC after ending Labasa’s two-year reign in the final with a 2-1 score-line at Govind Park yesterday.
Seventeen-year-old Sonali Rao was the toast of the host team after she curled in a powerful 30-metre “banana” shot beating the Labasa goalkeeper to break 1-all deadlock in the last quarter of the game.
Rao’s goal also enabled the women-in-black to finally taste victory after their last win in 2009.
An elated Rao who is the sister of Ba rep Samil Rao said she was confident of scoring the winner after receiving a wonderful pass from a teammate to give her team a well-deserved win in front of their ardent home fans.
“I was confident of scoring the goal once I received the ball and I was excited to see the ball went past the goalkeeper into the back of the net,” said Rao.
“I also scored a goal in our 1-0 semi-final win over Lautoka but I think this goal is special because it enabled our team to finally win the title that has eluded us for the past five years.
“I dedicated this special win to my mother who has supported me all throughout my career.”
Ba manager Dale Ting said the win was a result of dedication, perseverance and teamwork.
“The girls have put in a lot of hard work and this was evident to our win today,” said Ting.
“I am so proud of the girls for bringing back the lost glory to Ba women’s soccer.”
Gracious in defeat, Labasa captain Viniana Raiwai thanked her teammates for their effort.
“We will be back and better prepared next year.”
Ba’s Maria Lewavuni opened the scoring in the 25th minute before Labasa’s Selai Nai equalised for the Northerners in the second spell.
Labasa’s joy was short-lived when Rao nailed the winner in the last quarter of the game.
