Etonia Dogalau’s impressive double powerfully propelled Ba to a 2-1 victory over the reigning champions, Suva, in the final group match of the Extra Supermarket Futsal Inter-District Championship held at the Vodafone Arena. This victory has secured Ba a spot in the semi-finals.
Despite Suva’s strong standing in the tournament, having previously claimed victories against Nasinu and Savusavu, Ba proved to be formidable opponents. The match started on a high note for Ba, with Dogalau finding the net just two minutes in, catching the Suva defense off guard.
As the first half neared its conclusion, Dogalau scored what could be the goal of the tournament. A precisely aimed long clearance from Ba’s captain, Ravinesh Anand Singh, found Dogalau, who expertly glided a header past Suva’s last defender, Kitione Baleloa.
In the second half, Suva fought back valiantly, with Nikil Chand leading numerous offensive attacks. They managed to close the gap with a goal from Justin Kumar with less than ten minutes left on the clock.
Despite Suva’s countless attempts in the dying minutes, they were unable to breach Ba’s strong defense, helmed by Manasa Nawakula and Penisoni Tirau. In a last-ditch effort, Suva sent all five players forward, but Ba’s goalkeeper, Singh, remained resolute, securing the win for his team.
With this victory, Ba finished as runners-up in Group B, while the Whites topped the group.
The resilience and teamwork displayed by Ba not only demonstrate their skill but also highlight the unpredictability and excitement of the tournament. As the finals approach, fans can look forward to high-stakes matches filled with thrilling moments.
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