Ba Methodist High School made history yesterday by reaching the quarter-finals of the Extra Fiji Secondary Schools Football Championship U19 division after a 2-1 comeback win over Rakiraki Public School at 4R Stadium in Ba.
Rakiraki Public School looked in control at halftime, carrying a 1-0 lead into the break. Ba Methodist, playing in the U19 division for the first time, refused to be overwhelmed and rallied after the restart.
The Ba side lifted the tempo in the second half, applying sustained pressure before two decisive goals turned the match in their favor and secured a place among the tournament’s top eight.
Head coach Aseri Nakeke said the result meant more than just a win. “We are really proud of the players’ effort. These players come from rugby, and to see them switch to football and perform at this level is extraordinary,” Nakeke said. “We take one game at a time, and we hope our supporters will come out in numbers to cheer us on.”
The victory adds to Ba Methodist’s feel-good trend this year, with a group of athletes stepping outside their rugby comfort zone to chase football success. The win also signals the rising momentum of Ba Methodist’s youth teams as the knockout stages loom.
Context beyond the football field shows the school’s strong multi-sport culture. Ba Methodist’s Under-19 rugby side, led by captain Kaliova Bulai, has been performing prominently this season, with the team recently delivering a 31-3 victory over Nasau Secondary School in the Ba/Tavua/Ra Zone final. PEMAC head of department David King Wise has highlighted the program’s breadth, noting that Ba Methodist is fielding three rugby teams for the first time and that morale across the squads is exceptionally high.
Outlook: Ba Methodist advance to the quarter-finals and will look to build on this momentum as they continue to represent their school in multiple sports with a growing reputation for resilience and teamwork.
Summary: Ba Methodist High School’s U19 football squad showed grit to overturn a halftime deficit and book a spot in the competition’s quarter-finals, underscoring the school’s emerging strength across multiple sports and the coaching team’s belief in the players’ versatility and perseverance.
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