Etonia Dogalau’s remarkable double secured a spot for Ba in the final four after a thrilling 2-1 victory over defending champions Suva during their last group match of the Extra Supermarket Futsal Inter-District Championship at the Vodafone Arena today.
Suva entered the match with confidence, having previously defeated Nasinu and Savusavu, and expectations were high for them to clinch a third win. However, Ba proved to be resilient and ready to challenge their opponents.
The excitement kicked off early when Dogalau found the back of the net just two minutes into the game, catching Suva’s defense off guard. He then scored again just before halftime in spectacular fashion, converting a floated clearance from Ba captain Ravinesh Anand Singh into a perfectly placed header, eluding Suva’s last defender, Kitione Baleloa.
Suva mounted a strong comeback in the second half, with Nikil Chand leading aggressive offensive plays. They managed to bring the score closer with a goal from Justin Kumar with under ten minutes to go, narrowing Ba’s lead to just one goal.
Despite several attempts to equalize in the dying minutes, Suva was repeatedly thwarted by Ba’s solid defense, particularly Manasa Nawakula and Penisoni Tirau. Even as Suva pushed all five players forward seeking an equalizer, Ba’s goalkeeper Singh remained impenetrable.
This match concluded with Ba finishing as runners-up in Group B, while Suva topped the group. Ba’s performance demonstrates their determination and capability to contend against tough opponents, providing them with momentum heading into the knockout stages.
For fans of Ba, this victory reinforces the team’s fighting spirit and the potential to upset more established teams in the tournament.
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