Ba gets five past Suva side

BA kicked off their 2024 Digicel Fiji Premier League (DFPL) season in style with a comfortable 5-2 win over Suva.

The Capital City side, which played the match without five of their regular players, were outclassed by the Men in Black at the Fiji FA academy grounds in Ba yesterday.

Suva goalie Hasmukh Patel had a bad day as he conceded three goals in the first spell.

Etonia Dogalau put Ba ahead in the 20th minute after a powerful shot, as they went ahead on the scoreboard by 1-0.

Ten minutes later, Dogalau got his brace after a brilliant shot outside the 18-yard box for a 2-0 lead.

Both teams showed glimpses of constructive football as they opted for a more structural passing game.

Minutes away from halftime, Ba FC was awarded a free kick, which went straight to the back of the Suva net, from free-kick specialist Mohammed Raheem.

Suva pulled one back before the half-time whistle, after Ba goalie Atunaisa Naucukidi was caught off position, which Merril Nand took advantage of.

Ba got off to a great start in the second spell through a wonderful headed goal from Penisoni Tirau, from a corner kick as they extended their lead to 4-1.

Nand pulled one back for Suva after a series of blunders committed by the Ba defence.

Solomon Islands forward Darold Kakasi put the hosts further ahead at 5-2 after a close range goal with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Ba coach Daniel Krishneel said he was proud of the performance put in by his players.

“They put in the hard yards and whatever that was told to them, they delivered on the field. We have to iron out few mistakes as we conceded two goals but overall this crop of boys should make a good impact in the league as we go forward,” said Krishneel.

Suva coach Nigel Khan said they missed the services of veteran goalkeeper Akuila Mataisuva was who “absent” for the match.

Khan said they hoped to pick up their momentum in their second DFPL match.