BA rose from the dead last night to stay in contention for a semi-final berth at the Courts Inter District Championship.
The home side turned on the style with a thrilling 3-0 win over a disappointing Nadi side. Osea Vakatalesau scored the opener and Malakai Tiwa added a second before Tuimasi Manuca wrapped up the game.
Ba is on four points and plays Savusavu today and looks in good stead to qualify with Suva from this pool. They could take their tally to seven points with a good win over Savusavu.
Rewa though remains in the race and could end up with seven points as well. The Reds though disadvantaged on goal average have an advantage with their game against Nadi being the last game tonight so they will have a fair idea as to what they will need to sneak in.
Nadi, fielding brothers Viliame and Ratu Veresa Toma, surprisingly took the game to Ba instead of taking a cautious approach.
That's where they were ripped apart by a fiery and flamboyant opposition. Vakatalesau was on fire and without doubt man-of-the-match.
Suva has won the pool.
Lautoka 1 Labasa 0
Reigning champions Labasa is all but out of this tournament. They battled hard but were not good enough. Indiscipline at the back let them down badly as three players Ilaitia Tuilau, Amit Kanhaiya and Taniela Waqa were yellow carded in the first half.
From one of those free-kicks there was a foul in the box and a penalty was given. Up strode the stylish Zibraaz Saheb and placed his shot to the right leaving Labasa goalkeeper Akuila Mateisuva diving to the left.
Lautoka striker Valerio Nawatu put on a grand performance and was often hacked down by the Labasa defenders.
Once again like they did against Navua and Tavua, Labasa failed to shine despite having so many big names. Pita Bolaitoga and Maciu Dunadamu were pulled off midway through the second half.
Rewa 3 Savusavu 1
Rewa came from behind to win this one. The hot and humid condition was unfavorable to the southerners and they fell behind to a goal from former Fiji rep Waisale Rasoki.
Abraham Iniga equalised to make it 1-all. In the second-half goals from James Naka and Roderick Singh ensured that there was not going to be an upset.
Nadroga 2 Tavua
Both teams went out battling for a win. It was scoreless at the break but late in the game, Nadroga scored through Luke Rawadamu and Tomasi Tuicakau to seal a 2-0 win.
Nadroga will now hope that Tavua upsets Lautoka tomorrow and then they will have to beat Labasa to progress while Labasa will be hoping for a Tavua win as well.
Navua is through from this pool and a draw against Tavua will ensure that they top the pool. However, if they do win the pool, they could end up facing Ba in the semi-final. That's something the Reds will try and avoid and hope for a Suva-Navua showdown in the semis tomorrow.
But the Blues will try and dodge Ba as well and may even settle for a draw against Tavua as Navua plays first.
Suva 4 Rewa 0
Sanni Issa scored three and Samuela Drudru one as Rewa was given a hiding but the Reds are still in the race with four points. Rewa will probably have to beat Nadi by a huge margin to pip Ba as the Men in Black are expected to ease home against Savusavu.
Premier Division
The Tagi Vonolagi-coached Tailevu Naitasiri side takes on the Sekove Tama Vosuga-coached Lami in one semi-final while Taveuni meets Dreketi in the other semi-final.
Today's predictions:
Lami 1 Tailevu Naitasiri 2 and Taveuni 1 Dreketi 0.
Super premier:
Suva 1 Savusavu 1. The Whites will use most of their reserves and Savusavu could get a point out of this.
Navua 0 Tavua 3. Tavua will win this one. Navua will use their reserves too and won't risk injuries.
Ba 6 Savusavu. Ba will hammer the northerners in this one to ensure that the Rewans don't have it their way later against Nadi.
Lautoka 0 Tavua 0. Something tells me Lautoka will play a draw here to avoid Ba, unless something extraordinary happens in the Rewa-Nadi game. Labasa 0 Nadro 1. This game will be just a formality and I sense an upset win.
Rewa versus Nadi. I won't say anything here