BA Women Football Club goalkeeper Mereseini Waqali was instrumental in her side’s 2-0 victory over Henderson Eels FC, as the Fijian champions kicked off their OFC Women’s Champions League campaign in style yesterday.
Waqali made a string of brilliant saves in the first half to keep her side in the game.
Just 12 minutes in, she denied the always dangerous Ileen Pegy whose right-footed effort was struck straight at the keeper.
A minute later, Waqali was called into action again, diving to her right to stop a powerful strike from Veronica Tolivaka after Pegy orchestrated a threatening attack down the right.
Her most spectacular moment came in the 29th minute when she acrobatically tipped a Henderson Eels free kick over the crossbar, ensuring the scores remained level at halftime.
Despite being second-best in the opening stanza, Ba came to life in the second half.
Two goals in the space of three minutes, a clinical finish from Koleta Likuculacula in the 65th minute followed by a strike from Asenaca Naio in the 68th sealed the win for the Fijian side.
Henderson Eels had controlled much of the midfield and looked the more likely to score before Ba’s breakthrough.
In the 54th minute, Lorina Solosaia had a golden chance to put the Eels in front, but Waqali closed her down quickly, forcing the striker to shoot just wide.
Ba nearly opened their scoring earlier, 20 minutes in, when Likuculacula laid off a pass to Evivi Buka, whose long-range strike went just wide of the post.
Despite the loss, Henderson Eels have secured a place in the semi-finals, after their 5-0 win over Tupapa Maraerenga in their opening match.
For Ba Women FC, a place in the semis will be confirmed unless Tupapa Maraerenga can defeat them by at least four goals in their final group match on Saturday.
Saturday’s match will kick off at 10pm.
