BA erased the memories of the 2012 Inter District Competition final loss to Suva handing the Capital City side a 3-0 defeat in their Fiji Sun/GP Batteries National Football League at Govind Park yesterday.
The Men in Black went into the grudge match with a lot of vigour. Ba set the pace with an early goal and then controlled possession.
Nigerian Sanni Issa featured for Suva but failed function with Solomon Islander Ralph Sherwin upfront.
Pint-sized Ba striker Meli Codro proved to be the crowd favourite. Codro showed a lot of pace on the left flank and was a thorn in the Suva defence.
The win was an important one for Ba in their quest to defend the NFL title.
Ba coach Yogendra Dutt said the boys had organised themselves well on the field.
He said to score three goals against a quality team like Suva was a positive sign.
"The important thing is the three points because it was very hot and humid out there," Dutt said.
"The boys organised themselves well on the field to score the three goals. We will have a chat with the officials and the players to discuss which areas need improvement."
"People in Ba are passionate about football so we have to keep up with their expectations. The fans have their opinion but it is not that Ba can win every game. All we can do is give our best shot."
Suva coach Gurjeet Singh was gracious in defeat.
He said they lost to a better side.
Singh said despite the loss they had not thrown in the towel for the NFL title race.
"It was a tough game and we were not at our best," Singh said.
"Ba really stepped up and played well. They had the upper hand. We missed our chances when the opportunities were created."
"Also now we will have to look at our defence as we have been conceding goals. We did not have a few senior players but that's how it works."
"We have two games next week. There is a long way to go in the NFL. We haven't thrown in the towel. The aim is to do the best."
Sherwin missed a sitter for the visitors in the second minute. The University of the South Pacific student only had Ba goalkeeper Jone Ralulu at his mercy but tapped the ball out. A minute later Suva goalkeeper Emori Ragata made an acrobatic dive to save a drive from an acute angle.
Ba went up in the sixth minute through Mavileko Nakama's effort. Marika Madigi doubled Ba's advantage in the 40th minute with a powerful drive.
Ba led 2-0 at the break.
Suva's Sedrick Dutt hit the post in the 48th minute. Replacement Abbu Zahid sealed the win in the 78th minute as the Suva players stood still waiting for an off-side call which never came.
Ba: Jone Ralulu, Jone Vesikula, Josefata Neibuli, Marika Madigi, Meli Codro, Kiniviliame Naika, Laisenia Raura, Avinesh Suwamy, Malakai Tiwa, Tuimasi Manuca, Mavileko Nakama.
Suva: Emori Ragata, Simione Maikali, Samuela Vula, Waisake Navunigasau, Sanni Issa, Ralph Sherwin, Joshua Wilson, Ravinesh Singh, Sedrick Dutt, Jonas Naceva, Semi Rokoqica.