The Labasa football fans had all the reasons to celebrate after the Babasiqa Lions created history at the ANZ Stadium in Suva on Sunday.
The SSS Building (NZ) Labasa side for the first time secured back to back title win at the 2020 Courts Inter-District Championship beating Fresh Choice Lautoka 2-1 in the final.
After a poor performance in the opening match going down 0-1 against minnows Kumar’s Import Navua side, the Labasa side regrouped in the second match beating Nadi 4-0.
The Roneel Lal-coached side proved too strong in their final pool match beating Ba 2-1 which took them to the semi-finals as winners of Group B with six points while Ba went in as runner-up.
In the semi-final on Saturday, the Fiji’s 50th Independence Day was a double celebration for Labasa fans who came out in numbers to support their team.
It was already known Lautoka will feature in the final after beating Ba 2-1 in the first semi-final. Ba started off well after Darold Kakasi’s 32nd-minute goal gave them a 1-nil lead while the Blues fought hard and equalised through Samuela Gavo five minutes later.
Captain Zibraaz Sahib scored the winner for Lautoka in the 40th minute from the penalty spot.
In the second semi-final the Babasiqa Lions managed to beat Lincoln Rewa 1-0 with a 43rd minute goal from striker Ratu Apenisa Anare.
The Babasiqa Lions entered the grand final as favorites as thousands of Labasa fans came backing them as they took on Lautoka in the final.
It meant to be a thrilling final as both teams were equally good while Lautoka came to the final undefeated and Labasa was there to create a history.
Well at the breather both teams were locked nil-all but it was full of action as both teams tried their best to find the goal in the first half.
Labasa fans were stunned in the 51st minute when referee Veer Singh awarded a penalty to Lautoka after goalkeeper Akuila Mataisuva fouled Dave Radrigai inside the penalty box.
Captain Zibraaz Sahib calmly placed the ball into the back of the net to put the Blues up 1-0.
Labasa continued pressuring the Lautoka defense and in the 68th minute of play a free-kick was awarded to the Babasiqa Lions just outside the 18-yard box. Veteran Taniela Waqa took the free-kick which was fumbled by goalkeeper Viliame Tabucala and allowed Ilisoni Loloivalu to tap-in with the equaliser.
It was 10 minutes later nippy marksman Ratu Apenisa Anare was the hero for the Labasa side when he headed in the winner for the Babasiga Lions in the 78th minute after the Lautoka defence failed to clear a deeply curled corner kick by Ashnil Raju.
The Ronil Lal coached side returns home $25,000 richer while Lautoka received $6000 for reaching the final and the two losing semifinalists- Ba and Rewa each received $1000.
