The Man in Black as they are commonly known beat defending champion Rewa 2-0 in their last round match to scoop the first major championship of the 2012 Fiji Football Association season.
Ba finished on top with nine points from their three wins in the four team event. Suva earlier in the day edged out Labasa 1-0 to finish on second place with six points. Rewa with only a win and two losses had to settle for third while winless Labasa finished last.
Lethal Ba finisher Malakai Tiwa was named the player of the 2012 Pillays Garments Champions League while it was double celebrations for returning star Osea Vakatalesau who also celebrated his 26th birthday.
Rishi Kumar, the Ba Football Association President praised his players for the successful execution. He said this was not the end of the road as the 2012 season had just started.
“The new season has just started and there are many more competitions to come,” Kumar said.
“On a positive note Ba has achieved back to back victories in the last two Fiji FA events. Ba won the National League title at the end of the last season and now the Champions League. I would like to thank the players for their hard work, their families for the support and our fan base.
“The victory show positive signs for the new season while few changes are coming about in Ba FA which will be announced during the annual general meeting on January 25.”
Badly needing a win Rewa started the match strongly and was looking to strike early as they faced a major blow before the kick off when two key strikers Ratu Veresa Toma and Misaele Draunibaka were ruled out because of injuries.
Ba took a while to settle but was back at their best knowing what was at stake.
The Man in Black struck their opening goal with seconds from the half time whistle. Avinesh Waran Suwamy sailed a perfect cross from near the right hand corner flag for Simeli Naresia to find the back on the net on the 45th minute.
Shell shocked Rewa tried hard in the second spell to find the equaliser but their campaign dealt a setback when Tiwa took advantage of a tired Rewa defence to nail his attempt which was just meters outside the opposition box.
Rewa President Yogeshwar Singh said his side failed to utilise the opportunities they had.
“The boys played well and were in the game but when we had opportunities they could not score. Rewa lacked quality finishers during this Pillays Champions League and this area we have to look at as we now prepare for the Fiji Sun/ GP Batteries National League,” Singh said.
Ba received the first prize money of $3000 while second place Suva side picked up $1000.
2012 Pillay Garments Champions League
Results:
Day One: Ba 1 Suva 0; Rewa 1 Labasa 0
Day Two: Ba 2 Labasa 0; Suva 3 Rewa 1
Day Three: Suva 1 Labasa 0; Ba 2 Rewa 0
2012 Pillay Garments Champions League
Match Five
Full Time: Suva 1 Labasa 0
Suva Goal: Esava Samudere 42’
No Caution in the match
1pm at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori
Match Six
Full Time: Ba 2 Rewa 0
Ba Goals: Simeli Naresia 45’; Malakai Tiwa 61’
Ba Caution: Avinesh Waran Suwamy 39’
Rewa Cautions: Meniusi Senibuli 14’; Lorima Dau 22’; Marika Rodu 38’
3pm at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori
Ba wins Champions League
