THE Ba Women’s team snatched the Digicel Women’s Inter District Championship 2022 title from Labasa in an entertaining final at Prince Charles Park in Nadi on Sunday.
Labasa came into the final as favourites after walloping minnows Tailevu Naitasiri 12-0 in the first semi-final while the Women in Black defeated Rewa 2-1 in the second semi-final.
Leba Nasogiri, who came off the bench, was the star for the Ba side with a brace of goals in their 4-2 win.
The Arthur Simmons-coached Labasa side dominated possession in both halves despite Ba trying to score through captain Luisa Tamanitoakula in the first half but experienced goalkeeper Metelita Vuakoso was too good with her saves.
Both teams rested 0-0 at the break.
The Babasiga girls came in firing in the second spell and Australia-based Digicel Kulas striker Vanish Kumar opened the account in the 53rd minute from a Sofi Diyalowai infield cross.
Coming off the bench, Nairogo scored the equaliser from a Tamanitoakula free kick which Vuakoso misjudged.
The match went into extra time and it was stylish striker Diyalowai who scored the second goal for Labasa, beating the Ba defenders and giving Ba goalkeeper Mereseini Waqali no chance in the 98th minute.
Ba kept pressing and gave a timely response three minutes later through Nasogiri in the 100th minute as she headed in a corner kick from Seruwaia Naweni.
Both teams kept tussling hard and again a cross from Angeline Rekha landed on the feet of an unmarked Nasogiri and her shot deflected off the goalkeeper Vuakoso before landing into the back of the net. Nippy Sisilia Kuladina nailed the final goal just before the final whistle.
Ba received $3000 while Labasa was rewarded with $1500 for reaching the final.
Ba’s Angeline Rekha scooped the Golden Ball Award while goalkeeper Meresaini Waqali was awarded with the Golden Glove Award. Labasa Vanisha Kumar received the Golden Boot Award.
