A fired up Nadroga brigade powered on from the first whistle and stunned Ba just two minutes in the match when former national U20 rep Jonas Naceva’s 35 yarder attempt saw Ba goalie Ratu Jone Gasaubalavu bite the dust.
One could have assumed that Ba, as they have done on many occasions in the past struck back but this was not to be.
Nadroga with their lethal strike force marshaled by Samuela Drudru and backed Eran Underwood kept the Ba defence busy all day.
National coach Gurjit Singh who is assisting Navua and Nadroga at the 2011 Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants said the young Nadroga side had set their sights on upsetting Ba.
“Our game plan was simple, not to give them any space to move. Ba did not opt to play their usual game and instead were playing a lot of balls. Nadroga is in a tough pool and some good clashes are ahead of us,” Singh said.
Levi Tawake, the Nadroga skipper said his troops played their hearts out.
“I would like to thank the boys who played their hearts out against Ba. We had sessions with the National coach and we worked on a game plan to beat Ba,” he said.
Ba on the other hand faces a must win situation when they face Rewa in their second match of the 2011 Inkk Mobile BOG.
Despite the setback against Nadroga Ba secretary Iliyaz Ali applauded his side for the effort as he is well aware that they are not out yet.
“Despite the loss we are pleased with how the boys played. We will go back and prepare for the next match,” he said.
Full Time: Nadroga 1 Ba 0
Nadroga Goal: Jonas Naceva 2”
No Cautions in the match
2pm TFL National Stadium, Suva
Ba: 1. Ratu Jone Gasaubalavu (GK), 2. Avinesh Waran Suwamy, 3. Daniel Krishneel, 4. Manueli Kalou, 6. Jone Vesikula, 8. Marika Robanakadavu, 14. Simeli Naresia, 15. Mavileko Nakama, 16. Malakai Tiwa (C), 17. Malakai Kanihewe, 20. Aisea Codro
Reserves: 9. Meli Codro, 12. Remeuru Takiata, 18. Amani Ratu Junior, 19. Laisenia Raura, 21. Peter Hughes, 22. Josefata Neibuli
Nadroga:
1. Levi Tawake (C) (GK), 3. Vinit Singh, 4. Krishneel Dutt,6. Donald Kumar, 7. Eran Underwood, 9. Koshmick Kumar, 13. Jone Nailogi, 14. Samuela Drudru, 15. Jonas Naceva, 16. Isikeli Jeke Keli, 17. Sireli Guivalu
Reserves: 2. Nilesh Nadan, 5. Sanaila Dakaica, 8. John Rounds Junior, 10. Luke Rawadamu, 11. Sakiusa Qoro, 12. Tomasi Tuicakau, 20. Benjamin Rokobaro
Fiji FA MEDIA
Nadroga upsets Ba
