PORT VILA -Tafea FC’s 2-1 win over Fiji champions Ba has blown OFC O-League Group B wide open after goals to Vanuatu internationals Jean Nako Naprapol and Samson Obed cancelled
out a sensational strike from Avinesh Swamy.

Ba’s heartache was compounded in the 52nd minute when Malakai Tiwa saw his penalty saved by veteran Tafea FC goalkeeper David Chilia, who stopped Tiwa’s spot-kick with his legs
before seeing the ball strike the crossbar.

Tafea’s first OFC O-League win means that all three clubs still have a chance of sealing top spot in the group with all eyes turning to Kossa’s match against Ba on Monday 25th
February at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara.

FIRST HALF:

1 – Match kicks off with Ba immediately on the attack

7′- Ba get the first real chance to score when Tuimasi Manuca through on the goalkeeper David Chilia but the pacy midfield man misses his opportunity

8′-The match is very evenly balanced in the opening ten minutes with neither side able to dominate

10′- Jean Nako Naprapol sees his effort on goal saved by Laisenia Tuba

14′- GOAL! Jean Nako Naprapol fends off a defender goes one on one with Laisenia Tuba and slots the ball home reminiscent of his strike against New Zealand in the 2010
FIFA World Cup South Africa Qualifiers!

18′- Fedy Vava and Jean Nake Naprapol are combining well to give Tafea FC the edge in what is shaping as an exciting OFC O-League match

22′- Francois Sakama has a shot brilliantly saved by Laisenia Tuba after some good build-up play by Hubert Nake

24′-Etienne Mermer has another strike on goal for Tafea FC but Laisenia Tuba makes another good save for Ba

25′- Ba get a chance to score through Tuismasi but the effort flies wide and Tafea FC survive

27′-With Group B honours at stake the match is being played in a good spirit with referee Mike Hester yet to brandish a yellow card to players of either team – that situation
could well change as the match progresses

30′- Ba have settled into the match after enduring a torrid start to proceedings with Bukalidi and Tuimasi urging their team-mates on to greater efforts

35′- Jean Nako Naprapol shoots for goal but Laisenia Tuba makes yet another fine save for Ba

38′- Tuimasi Manuca breaks through on goal for Ba and shoots at David Chilia but the effort whistles over the top of the crossbar by mere centimetres

42′- YELLOW CARD – 2. Samson OBED for Tafea FC goes into Mike Hester’s notebook

44′- YELLOW CARD – 3. Jacques MAFIL NAWAN joins his defensive team-mate in the referee’s notebook

45′- Referee Mike Hester signals the end of the first half of an absorbing match

HALFTIME: TAF 1 BA 0

SECOND HALF:

46′- SUBSTITUTION – Laisenia TUBA is replaced in goal by Epeli CODRO due to an injury

52′- PENALTY! – Jacques MAFIL NAWAN pulls down Malakai TIWA in the penalty area and its a penalty to Ba!

53′- Malakai TIWA shoots for goal from the resulting spot-kick but David Chilia pulls off a brilliant save and the ball hits the crossbar and flies out for a corner

55′- Ba lose possession from the resulting corner but Tafea FC will be relieved that Jacques MAFIL NAWAN is still on the pitch after already being booked

58′- GOAL! A sensational goal by Avinesh SWAMY for Ba whose long range shot hits the crossbar then the inside of the post to make it 1-1

65′- SUBSTITUTION – Richard IWAI is brought into the fray replacing Francois SAKAMA

70′- There is a collision between Moise POIDA and Rinal PRASAD

75′- SUBSTITUTION – Geoffrey Lego GETE enters the match and is booked within moments of appearing

77′- YELLOW CARD – Geoffrey Lego GETE is booked

84′- GOAL! Samson OBED makes it 2-1 to Tafea FC and Ba’s OFC O-League hopes hang by a thread

89′- Geoffrey Lego GETE races away in a one on one situation with Ba goalkeeper Epeli CODRO but is denied by the substitute custodian with the crowd on the edge of its seat in
Port Vila

90′- Time is up on the clock but the fourth official indicates there will be time added on

TIME ADDED ON: +4′

90’+3 – YELLOW CARD – Richard IWAI is booked by Mike Hester

FULLTIME: TAF 2 BA 1

TAFEA: 1. David CHILIA [GK]; 2. Samson OBED; 3. Jacques MAFIL NAWAN; 4. Ephraim KALORIB; 6. Fedy VAVA; 7. Moise POIDA; 8. Pita David MAKI; 9. Jean Nako NAPRAPOL; 11.
Etienne MERMER; 12. Hubert NAKE; 13. Francois SAKAMA.

SUBS: 10. Richard IWAI; 16. Alphonse Welin QORIG; 17. Geoffrey Lego GETE; 18. Silas NAMATAK; 20. Alista KALIP; 22. Shem SIPAI [GK]; 24. Timothy JOB.

Coach: Michael KALO

BA: 1. Laisenia TUBA; 2. Avinesh SWAMY; 3. Shalen LAL; 5. Rinal PRASAD; 6. Jone VESIKULA; 7. Tuimasi MANUCA; 8. Keni DOIDOI; 9. Josaia BUKALIDI; 10. Ronaldo CHANDRA; 12.
Niumaia TAGI; 13. Kiniviliame TURAGALAILAI;

SUBS: 14. Jone SOROLO; 15. Manoa MASI; 16. Malakai TIWA; 17. Malakai KAINIHEWE; 18. Epeli CODRO (GK).

Coach: Yogendra DUTT

Referee: Mike HESTER (NZL)