History for Labasa
THE Suntek Supermarket-sponsored Labasa football side created history after winning the first Courts Inter District Championship title on western soil.
Not only that, the Babasiqa Lions made back to back in two major title wins this year. They were crowned the Battle of the Giants winners at Churchill Park in Lautoka.
They were also unbeaten at this year’s IDC tournament at Prince Charles Park in Nadi.
The Roneel Lal-coached side drew 1-1 against Lautoka in the opening match and won 2-1 against Tavua. The final Group A match against Ba with a 1-0 win gave them a way to the semifinals.
In the semi-finals Labasa thrashed Nadi 5-0 to advance to the final while Suva won 1-0 against Ba.
The final between the two teams gave fans some nail-biting moments as both teams fought hard to get the victory under heavy downpour and slippery ground condition.
The ground condition affected play as both teams found it hard to get their passes together and launch attacks.
Solomon Islands import Dennis Ifunaoa slammed in the winner for the Babsiga Lions in the first minute of the first spell of extra time.
Goalkeepers Akuila Mateisuva and Simione Tamanisau were at their level best and made some brilliant saves to keep a clean sheet in the first half.
Christopher Wasasala had the best chance of the half as he beat the defence and the keeper but his final attempt stopped in a puddle of water just before the goal line.
The second half was also dominated by goalkeeping brilliance, missed chances and some poor decision-making in front of the goal. The heavy ground condition also saw a couple of players picking up injuries and getting substituted, with the most notable one being Tamanisau who had to be replaced by Emori Ragata towards the end of the second half.
Strikers Siotame Kubu of Labasa and Suva’s Sairusi Nalaubu were also pulled out after copping injuries.
With no scores at the end of the mandatory 90 minutes, the match headed into extra time.
Labasa went on attack from the restart and a long through pass from Akeimi Ralulu was beautifully controlled on the right hand edge of the box by Ifunaoa, as he turned and lined up his attempt which rocketed past Ragata and landed into the roof of the net, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
Suva coach Kamal Swamy sent in late reinforcements and pushed Ivan Kumar and Shahil Dave into attack, but a composed Labasa defence led by Iliesa Lino and Antonio Tuivuna kept them at bay until the final whistle.
Labasa returns home $25,000 richer while Suva received $7000 for reaching the FIJI