Ba took a massive step toward the 2007 O-League Final this evening following a 3-2 home win over Solomon Island champions Marist FC. Marist FC required at least a point from the fixture to keep their O-League hopes alive but got off to a disastrous start when Ba goalkeeper Laisenia Tuba opened the scoring from the penalty spot as he did in the first match in Honiara after just 15 minutes.

Tuba’s team-mate Keni Doi Doi then blasted two goals for Ba in the 32nd and 48th minutes to see the home side apparently cruising to victory.

However, Marist FC staged a late rally and bounced back with 5 minutes remaining after Joe Luwi netted for the Solomon Islanders. Keni Doi Doi became a hero turned villain when he scored an 87th minute own goal to inadvertently set up a dramatic late finish to the Group B fixture. Ba managed to hang on for the final few minutes and secure the three points that gives them a six point lead over AS Temanava.

Marist’s defeat eliminates the Solomon Island club from the O-League after just two rounds despite the club drafting national team coach Airton Andrioli in to help prepare the team for this fixture last week.

If Ba win their final group match against AS Temanava they will seal Group B honours and claim one of the 2007 O-League Final berths as their own.

2007 O-League (OFC Champions League)

Match Day 3 – Group B

Govind Park, Ba, Fiji

12 March 2007

Result – Match 3 – Group B

Ba 3 (Tuba 15′ pen; Doidoi 32′, 48′)

Marist FC 2 (Luwi 85′, OG 87′)

Ba – 1. Laisenia Tuba; 2. Avinesh Swamy; 6. Jone Vesikula; 7. Tuimasi Manuca (10. Ronald Chandra 64′); 8. Keni Doidoi; 9. Josaia Bukalidi (13. Semesa Doidoi 79′); 11. Robert Wise; 12. Peni Finau (c); 14. Luke Vidovi; 16. Malakai Tiwa; 17. Malakai Kainihewe (4. Leone Vurukania 70′)

Subs not used – 15. Niumaia Tagi; 18. Epeli Codro

Cautions – None

Red Cards – None

Marist FC – 1. Francis Aruwafu (18. Lucian Sikwaae 41′); 3. Tome Faisi; 5. Samson Takayama; 6. Jerry Sam; 9. James Naka; 10. Michael Misitana (8. Timothy Joe 46′); 11. Sebastian Misiga; 12. Benjamin Mela (15. Mostyn Beui 71′); 14; Joe Luwi; 16. Martin Ruhasia (c); 17. Gideon Omokirio

Subs not used – 2. David Houpere; 4. Alphonsus Danny; 7. Joseph Lani; 13. Simon Sau

Cautions – None

Red Cards – None

Referee – Lencie Fred (Vanuatu)

Assistant Referee – Nawen Hopken (Vanuatu)

Assistant Referee – Michael Joseph (Vanuatu)

Fourth Official – Harry Atisson (Vanuatu)

Standings Match Day 1 – Group A

Played Won Drawn Lost GF GA Points

Auckland City (NZL) 3 2 1 0 8 2 7

Waitakere United (NZL) 2 1 1 0 8 3 4

AS Mont Dore (NCL) 3 0 0 3 1 11 0

Standings Match Day 1 – Group B

Played Won Drawn Lost GF GA Points

Ba (FIJ) 3 2 1 0 6 3 7

AS Temanava (TAH) 1 0 1 0 1 1 1

Marist FC (SOL) 2 0 0 2 2 5 0

GOALSCORERS:

3 – Paul URLOVIC (Auckland City), Commins MENAPI (Waitakere United), Grant YOUNG

(Auckland City)

2 – Daniel KOPRIVCIC (Waitakere United), Bryan LITTLE (Auckland City), Laisenia TUBA (Ba FC), Keni DOI DOI (Ba FC)

1 – Osea VAKATALESAU (Ba FC), Danny HAY (Waitakere United), Allan PEARCE (Waitakere United), Hoani EDWARDS (Waitakere United), Patrick DIAIKE (AS Mont Dore), Roneel KUMAR (Ba FC), Jean Francois KABEU (AS Temanava), Joe LUWI (Marist FC), own goal.