The much anticipated clash in the preliminary round of the 2009 INKK Mobile Battle Of the Giants tournament between Labasa and Suva ended in a 1-1 draw at Subrail Park in Labasa, Fiji, yesterday.
Both teams displayed good football and entertained the fans with fast paced and constructive ball work. Roy Krishna, who will return to Auckland club Waitakere United after the Battle of the Giants, awed the home town fans with his superb skills and accurate crosses from midfield where he shined against the experienced Suva outfit. He was awarded man of the match for his efforts.
Labasa drew first blood midway through the first half when Krishna buried a penalty kick which he was awarded after being brought down inside the box. Suva equalised in the second spell through Esava Naqeleca.
The draw leaves both teams on one point in Pool 2 which is currently led by Ba who thrased Nasinu 4-0 in the opening match at Govind Park on Saturday.
Defending champions Ba were unstoppable from the outset, with striker Maciu Dunadamu scoring after just 27 seconds. Dunadamu grabbed a brace along with Maviliko Nakama in the one-sided affair.
Ba coach Yogendra Dutt was happy with the win and said it was just the start they were after.
"I am happy with the win and the way in which the boys played," said Dutt. "We are serious about defending our title and will give it our best shot."
In other action at the weekend, Nadroga drew with Rewa 1-1.
The Battle of the Giants is an annual competition organised by the Fiji Football Association and is a highlight on Fiji’s football calendar.
The competition, which started in 1978, includes the top 10 district teams: Ba, Labasa, Lautoka, Nadi, Nadroga, Nasinu, Navua, Rewa, Suva and Tavua. The teams are divided into two pools of five where each team plays off against the others over three days. The top two teams in each pool qualify for the semi-finals, with the winner of each pool playing the runner-up of the other pool. The semi-finals and the final are then played on the same day.
Story courtesy of Fijilive