2009 O-LEAGUE – BA AND KOLOALE SHARE SPOILS

BA, FIJI – Koloale’s away point will be seen as two lost for their hosts in today’s opening encounter of the 2009 OFC O-League.

A rejuvenated Ba welcomed Solomon Islands champions Koloale FC to Govind Park, without doubt confident of a win from their squad that boasted the return of key midfielder Ronil Kumar – who spent the 2008 O-League with Waitakere United.

Not to be outdone, Koloale brandished their key signing – former A-League, NZFC, and Australian State League professional Henry Fa’arodo – alongside prominent Solomon Islands national team stars such as Mahlon Houkarawa, Timothy Joe, and Shadrack Ramoni.

Stifling, yet typical Pacific Island heat greeted a crowd that built to the thousands as the respective sides eased into their stride for the coming continental season. 

It was the visitors who looked to show their intentions first, as creative movement from Fa’arodo allowed Jeffrey Bule an attempt on goal that was batted away by Ba goalkeeper Jone Sorolo.

After a quiet first few minutes, Shadrack Ramoni was then called into action for the first of what would be many instances on the day – producing a heroic point-blank save from a threatening Malakai Tiwa.

Momentary lapses in concentration from the Ba defence caused a few nervous moments for Sorolo, though Koloale attackers could not provide the finishing touch to take an away lead.

Mid-way through the opening spell, Tiwa looked to have given the home side the opening advantage with a pile-driver from the edge of the area, only for the crossbar to come to Koloale’s rescue and terms to remain level.

Ba kicked on from this moment, and looked to have sealed an advantage for sure when Marlon Houkarawa brought down Pita Baleitoga in the area. To the home crowd’s disdain, striker Ronald Lawrence found nothing but the post from the resulting spot kick and the stalemate continued.

The miss seemed to spark frantic closing stages of the first half, to the point where an off-the-ball incident saw Fa’arodo brandished a red card after an altercation with Ronil Kumar.

The second half was a case of Koloale holding on for the draw, with Ramoni – by all accounts – the savior of the day for the visitors.

On several occasions the heroic Solomon Islands ‘keeper was required to make notable saves from the menacing Pita Baleitoga, ever-present Tiwa, and talismanic Ronil Kumar.

The closing stages were consumed by a raft of substitutions as players tired, with the frustrated Ba captain Kiniviliame Turagalailai entering the referee’s notebook alongside Tuimasi Manuca.

Yogendra Dutt looked to bring life into the fixture by replacing unsuccessful penalty-taker Ronald Lawrence with the ever-popular Josaia Bukalidi, but Koloale managed to stand firm, and leave for home with their first and a well-deserved O-League point.

Koloale have almost three weeks to prepare for their next O-League fixture, hosting Papua New Guinea qualifiers Hekari Souths United at 14H00 (SOL T) on the 22nd of November.

Ba’s next O-League fixture sees them away to Hekari Souths United in Port Moresby, at 14H00 (PNG T) on December the 13th.

2009 OFC O-LEAGUE

Group B 

BA: 1. Jone SOROLO [gk]; 2. Avinesh SUWAMY; 5. Ronil KUMAR (8. Keni DOIDOI 75′); 6. Jone VESIKULA; 7. Tuimasi MANUCA; 10. Ronald LAWRENCE (9. Josaia BUKALIDI 61′); 11. Alvin SINGH; 12. Pita BALEITOGA (19. Shameel RAO 57′); 16. Malakai TIWA; 17. Malakai KAINIHEWE; 22. Kiniviliame TURAGALAILAI [c].

Substitutes not used: 3. Shalen LAL; 15. Mavileko NAKAMA; 20. Epeli CODRO [gk] 24. Rinal PRASAD.

Cautions: 22. Kiniviliame TURAGALAILAI (58′); 7. Tuimasi MANUCA (80′).

Red Cards: None

Coach: Yogendra DUTT (FIJ)

KOL: 2. Welshman HOUKARAWA; 3. Jeffrey BULE (10. Ezra SALE 77′); 5. Richard ANISUA (13. Lency SAENI 90′) ; 6. Timothy JOE; 8. Peter TALOGA (15. Mostyn BEUI 67′); 14. Nicholas MURI; 16. Joses NAWO; 17. Marlon HOUKARAWA; 18. Henry KOTO; 19. Henry FA’ARODO; 20. Shadrack RAMONI [gk].

Substitutes not used: 1. Zantas KABINI [rgk]; 11. Ian PAIA; 12. Oscar SARA; 24. Steven ANISI.

Cautions: None

Red Cards: 19. Henry FA’ARODO (43′)

Coach: Luke EROI (SOL)

Referee: Lencie FRED (VAN)

Assistant Referee 1: Tony MELTETAMAT (VAN)

Assistant Referee 2: Michael JOSEPH (VAN)

Fourth Official: Rakesh VARMAN (FIJ)

Group B

Standings – 02.11.08