SUVA – THE Vodafone Ba soccer side faces an uphill battle in its bid to qualify
for the final of the OFC O-League when it plays Kossa FC in the Solomon
Islands today.
Following its 2-1 loss against Tafea Football Club of Vanuatu on
Wednesday last week, Ba will have to win the match and the Men in Black
camp are wary of it.
Ba coach Yogendra Datt said they lacked the fitness and that was what
they had worked and talked about for the past few days.
“It is a need that the players pick up on the fitness as we need to win
the match,” Datt said.
The loss against Tafea has seen the Ba side slip down to second position
in Group B.
The team has also suffered a blow with its number one goalkeeper
Laisenia Tuba under an injury cloud.
Ba Football Association secretary Iliaz Khan said match fitness is a
draw back for the team.
“This was our first match for the season,” Khan said.
“However, we have to look ahead. The aim is to top the pool. We will
have to win in the Solomon Islands and then the return match in Fiji.”
Ba scored an important away goal against Tafea. The side has three
points from two matches.
Tafea leads the group with four points from three matches.
Last year Ba missed out on winning the O League title on away goals
against Waitakere United.
Meanwhile, in Group A, Auckland City’s bid for
the OFC O-League title took a nose dive after losing to defending champion
Waitakere United 1-0 in New Zealand.
National rep Salesh Kumar featured for the Auckland City team.
With the win Waitakere United has opened up a four point lead in its
group.
The two top teams from each group will play off in the final to
determine the winner of the O League.
The winner of the O League will gain direct entry to the FIFA Club World
Cup in Japan in December 2008.