Ba was in the hunt to maintain their unbeaten run and gain some valuable points in the Champions League but a brilliant second half performance by Rewa sees them back in contention for the first major championship of the season. #Rewa shares the top spot with Ba, eight points each in the Champions League standings and both have a game in hand. #Speaking to Fiji FA Media after the match a jubilant Rewa skipper Archie Watkins says the ability to maintain their performance throughout the match was the key to victory. #“Game plan against Ba was to put the balls in the sides to allow the crosses to come. The boys also worked hard and did not to allow Ba any chance of scoring. At half time we were told to keep the pace up and the goals would come,” Watkins said. #Watkins struck his sides opening goal in the 55th minute. Menuasi Senibuli took a corner which deflected Ba’s Roneel Kumar to travel back to Rewa’s Ratu Semi Dilega who just shifted the ball left for an unmarked Watkins to score.#Drama unfolded as six minutes later Rewa was reduced to 10-men. Lethal striker Ratu Veresa Toma was sent-off for a violent conduct by referee Rakesh Varman.#Ba failed to take advantage as hard working Kelepi Qaqa doubled the lead just eight minutes later. The Rewa attack progressed in the Ba half and setup Qaqa, Ba players for a moment just stopped thinking Kelepi was off-side but the assistant referee’s flag stayed down. Qaqa rushed in to just slide the ball past the Ba goalie Jone Ralulu.#The western based Ba side tried hard in the remainder of the match but delta tigers held their lines to deny their opponents. #Ba Football Vice President Anil Amin says Rewa earned a well deserved victory. He assured that the Ba side will regroup for their next match against Navua. #“We are still in the running for the Champions League but today Rewa proved to be the better team. Nevertheless we just have to put this aside and I’m sure we will bounce back,” Amin said. #Champions League continues this Wednesday when the postponed Navua versus Lautoka match takes place 5pm at the TFL National Stadium in Suva. #The last round of matches is scheduled for Friday at Churchill Park. Ba takes on Navua 6pm and later at 8pm Lautoka battles Rewa. # Fiji FA MEDIA
