It was none other than Fijian international and tough right back Avinesh Waran Suwamy who scored a brace of goals in the second half to rescue Ba to officially stamp their mark in Oceania’s top competition.
Key players with the likes of veteran Malakai Kanihewe, Ronil Kumar, Petero Dauniseka, player/coach Josaia Bukalidi, Meli Codro and Kitione Tabivalu ruled out, Ba side was always going to face an uphill battle.
Ba coach Yogendra Dutt says winning at home was a major step towards the O-League campaign.
“A win at home during the O-League is indeed a very important one for us,” Dutt said.
“Away games we can never know what to expect. The boys played well in the second half as they kept the ball more on the ground instead of playing high balls and we got the reward.”
AS Mont-Dore took full advantage of a lackluster first half Ba performance as Jose Hmae’s 33rd minute goal gave the visitors a 1-0 lead. Ba goalie Jone Ralulu had called for the ball but Hmae raced in only to head the ball over him and tap inside an empty net.
In front of their loyal fans Ba turned out to be a changed side in the second half knowing that a loss could upset their campaign.
Ba began creating chances with forward Malakai Tiwa and skipper Kiniviliame Naika the brains behind the raging Ba attack.
Denied on numerous occasions Suwamy equalised in the 65th minute. The right back came in with a power shot from the near the right hand edge of the Mont-Dore box.
Inspired by the equaliser Ba pressed on and Suwamy got his second from a similar distance seven minutes from full time.
Despite the setback AS Mont Dore-Coach Thierry Sardo believes all is not lost at the moment.
“We started the match well and were in place during the first half. The Ba heat caught us a bit but there was also a problem in our mid field during the second half which saw the Ba players take advantage,” he said.
“But this is just the first O-League match of the season and we still have to go a long way and can catch up.”
2011-2012 O-League
Full Time: Ba 2 AS Mont-Dore 1
Ba Goals: Avinesh Suwamy 65’, 83’
Ba Caution: Marika Madigi 35’
AS Mont-Dore Goal: Jose Hmae 33’
AS Mont –Dore Cautions: Dominique Sawa 6’, Loic Wakanumune 26’, Jacques Wamytan 88’
3pm Govind Park, Ba
Perfect O-League return for Ba
