SYDNEY Nadro players and fans celebrate its IDC victory after a 3-1 win over Rewa at Bonnyrigg White Stadium on Sunday.

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Ba retains CVC in a contentious third game

Fiji Sports

Ba win 18th CVC title.Ba win 18th CVC title.You can't keep a top player down and Osea Vakatalesau proved just that.

 

He soared high over the Nadi defence and beat Nadi keeper Beniamino Matainaqara with a header three minutes from the end of the second spell of extra- time.

 

With the scores locked 1-all, it all came down to who wanted it the most and obviously Vakatalesau and Ba did.

 

The lanky striker was red-carded in the first match, served his suspension in the second game and came back big to win Ba their 18th Champion Versus Champion series title.

 

Ba won 2-1 at Churchill Park.

 

Ba coach Yogendea Dutt saluted his brigades for the "hard-fought win".

 

"We dedicate this win to the Tui Ba who came to watch us play for the first time," said a victorious Dutt.

 

"Both teams had their fair share of chances and we took ours.

 

"A good start to the season and we hope to build on this series win."

 

Nadi mentor Kamal Swamy was left to rue a lapse in concentration and miscommunication in the final minutes.

 

"One mistake by the keeper and we lost," he said.

 

"Ben should have let that ball go across the face of the goal as there were no Ba players there.

 

"But he was going backwards and the player close to him should have made that call."

 

From the ensuing corner, Avinesh Waran Swamy curled in a well-measured cross and Vakatalesau leapt highest to head home.

 

In the first half, Maveliko Nakama squeezed in between two Nadi defenders to blast home a sizzler from the edge of the box but Nadi equalised at the stroke of half-time.

 

Swamy had pulled off defender Eliki Ravosai, pulled back Amani Makoe and brought on young William Valentine. It was Valentine's searching ball that Uraia Loki latched onto to head home.

 

Nadi switched from their 3-5-2 formation to 3-4-3 with Napolioni Qasevakatini, Rusiate Matarerega and Loki upfront.

 

Ba rested Junior Narendra Rao from the second match, dropped Abbu Zahid into mid-field with Vakatalesau taking his place in attack alongside Maveliko Nakama.

 

Ba skipper Jone Vesikula had a good game but Loki was man-of-the-match.

 

Nadi: Beniamino Matanaiqara, Ilimotama Jese, Eliki Ravosai, Ame Votoniu, Amani Makoe, Munit Krishna, Rahul Krishna, Vuniuci Tikomaimereke, Rusiate Matarerega, Uraia Loki, Napolioni Qasevakatini.

 

Ba: Epeli Codro, Jone Vesikula, Josefata Neibuli, Marika Madigi, Avinesh Waran Swamy, Abbu Zahid, Remueru Tekiate, Laisenia Raura, Epeli Codro, Maveliko Nakama, Osea Vakatalesau.

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