Scorers: 4R Electrical Ba 5 (Shamil Rao 1’, Abbu Zahid 8’, Jone Vesikula 71’, Avinesh Swamy 72’, Saula Waqa 90’); Fastkill Services Suva 3(Antonio Tuivuna 30’, Nickel Chand 54’, Noa Vukica 60’)

What Happened: Ba was on fire in the first leg of the Pillay’s Garment Champions vs Champion series at the ANZ Stadium yesterday defeating Suva 5-3.

In a pulsating game to start of the Fiji Football Association season, the defending champions shut Suva out.

The ‘Men in Black’ made their intentions clear in their opening CVC encounter as how serious they are this season after a lackluster performance in 2014.

The opening leg of the CVC was a good start for teams ahead of the Oceania Football Confederations Champions League in April.

Shamil Rao scored first goal in the 1st minute followed by Abbu Zahid in the 8th minute. Suva came back through their Vodafone Fiji U20 rep Antonio Tuivuna in the 30th minute. Halftime: Ba 2-1 Suva.

In the second-half, Suva made a big impact and the side equalized 2-2. Another Fiji U20 rep, Chand scored for Suva to inspire the home side in the 54th minute.

Noa Vukica scored with his powerful strike inside the box in the 60th minute to give Suva 3-2 lead in the 60th minute after Ba failed to stop Suva striker Napolioni Qasevakatini’s pass.

As Suva looks on course to record another famous victory against Ba, the ‘Men in Black’ scored three goals within 30 minutes from fulltime to seal the win.

Vesikula scored in the 71st minute, Swamy in the 72nd minute and Waqa with a powerful strike from the left flank sealed the victory.

The opening leg of the CVC not only saw more goals but also exploited some feeble defence from both sides and the strikers of both sides were in top form to finish it off.

The inclusion of the national U20 reps made a huge difference for both teams.

Star turn: Swamy played a pivotal game for Ba. The hardworking player was not only good in defence but also upfront and scored the fourth goal.

Comments: Ba coach Shalen Lal praised the performance of his players.

“This is a good start for the team and I’m happy with this win.

Lal, the former national and Ba rep, proved why he was the best pick to coach the top football district in the country.

The newly appointed Ba coach masterminded the game plan from the sideline which enabled the side to its stardom in the opening leg of the series with a big win.

“My focus at the moment is the OFC Champions League and we are working hard towards it,” Lal said.

“The win is the perfect start for us and I am happy with my players.

Suva Coach Gurjit Singh was not happy with the control of the match and blamed the referee for some of the decisions which cost them the game.

“Our players played well and we need to improve in some of the areas before the second leg,” Singh said.

The return leg of the series will be played at Ba’s Govind Park this Sunday at 3pm.

Ba needs a draw in their second leg this week to win the CVC Sseries.

Ba: Abbu Zaheed, Avinesh Swamy, Epeli Codro, Jone Vesikula, Josefata Neibuli, Junior Narendra Rao, Manasa Nawakula, Praneel Naidu, Remueru Tekiata, Ronil Kumar, Shamil Rao.

Suva: Uliasi Tamanisau, Noa Vukica, Antonio Tuivuna, Leone Damudamu, Pita Rabo, Naplioni Qasevakatini, Tomasi Uculoa, Nickel Chand, Ravnesh Singh, Dave Radrigai, Poasa Bainivalu.

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