TEAM work and sheer dedication is the secret to Ba’s success in the domestic football as the side will try to win the Vodafone Fiji FACT tournament after five years.
This was the believe of former player and coach Shalendra Lal who had played for Men in Black from 2002 to 2012.
Lal took a retirement from the competitive level of football and is now coaching the youths in the Fiji Football Association national team.
He said wearing Ba jersey would always bring a positive vibe in the players.
“I have never played for any other district apart from Ba. We also played our hearts out for Ba jersey,” he said.
“Whenever we came on the field we were mentally, physically and spiritually fit so we gave our best in the training and the matches became easy for us.
“Ba is always a team plays football until the last whistle.”
Lal captained the side in 2007 in the Fiji FACT and won the tournament. He still have some memorable moments which he cherishes today.
“I had been playing for Ba for a decade with them. Most memorable time was playing in 2007 Fiji FACT straight after OFC Champions League. I was given a chance to captain them. It was a icing on the cake winning the tournament after beating Labasa 1-0.
“I enjoyed the tournament very much. We were on top with our fitness level as we did not feel much pressure there.”
Ba is the only team in the tournament who had won Fiji FACT eight times which no other team had won.
He said Ba will continue their consistency in the tournament starting today at Subrail Park in Labasa.
“We showed a different style of football even we also played a different pattern when we played against Waitakere. It was a high level of football and lifting the trophy in front of our home crowd,” he added.
“Ba has been known for playing constructive football and I’m sure they will maintain that and they have already maintaining their consistency in the league matches. We can expect the same from them in the tournament.”
“Football is the only sport in Ba and development was playing a key role. Every kid used to play football from young age and they believed in themselves. Ba legends were very supportive and boosting their morale whenever they met. The current players who are playing now wants to become like legend and this helps them to give their best.”
Ba takes on Rewa at 5.30pm today.
FACT FILE
Ba in Fiji FACT final
1991 – Ba 1-0 Labasa
1997- Ba – Labasa (Joint Winners)
1998- Ba 3-0 Nadi
2004- Ba 2-0 Navua
2005- Ba 1-0 Nadi
2006- Ba 3-0 Labasa
2007- Ba 1-0 Labasa
2010- Ba 1-0 Navua
2012- Ba 0-1 Suva
2013- Ba 1-3 Nadi
