Coming into their final match of the season Ba knew they had little to lose after Suva failed to beat Rewa a week earlier, ruling themselves out of the title race and more-or-less handing the 2013 title to their rivals.
However Ba being a side that aims for perfection, they came out firing against Lautoka but struggled to overcome their adversary in the high scoring match-up.
Ba opened the scoring thanks to an Avinesh Swamy strike in the 28th minute of the match. However Lautoka struck back twice thorugh Nelson Odaiji and Dave Radrigai. Swamy found the back of the net twice more to earn his hat-trick for Ba before Zibraaz Sahib pulled his side back in line to earn the 3-3 draw.
Joining Ba in the OFC Champions League next year will be Fiji National League runners-up Nadi after a recent 3-1 victory over Ba secured them second place.
Fiji Football Association president Rajesh Patel says both sides will need to be at their best when the 2014 competition rolls around.
“Ba and Nadi are the two outstanding teams who have done well and fought hard in the National Football League this year,” Patel says.
“However, the OFC Champions League is a different level of competition and it is important that both the two sides prepare well to play at this level of competition. Both the teams need to improve and build on their strengths to play at this level.”
With the season wrapped up Savusavu and Tavua have been relagated as the Super Premier League line-up will only accomodate eight sides in the new season.
For more on Fiji football go to www.fijifootball.com.fj

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