Ba wins first match, Rewa next

Hosts Dayals Steel Ba opened their Extra Battle of the Giants campaign with a 1-0 win over Tagimoucia Nadi.

John Orobulu scored in the first half after Joela Biuvanua failed to clear the ball inside the penalty area. Nadi created chances and controlled parts of the match, but Ba held on for victory.

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First game is always very important. Nadi was good. We played them twice in the league but tonight they were a totally different team with the inclusion of overseas-based players.

Ba coach Ravinesh Kumar said Nadi had performed differently from the team Ba faced twice in the league, helped by the inclusion of overseas-based players. Nadi coach Babs Khan said his players had adapted well to their system but Ba had taken its chances.

Ba next meets Rewa at 5:30 p.m., while Nadi plays Lautoka at 1:30 p.m. Rewa previously beat Lautoka 2-0, with Merril Nand scoring a header and Josaia Sela converting a penalty. Global Care Suva beat Blue Gas Navua 3-1, and Extra Supermarket Labasa defeated Nasinu 1-0.

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I’ve just been here for four or five weeks and we are trying to play a system, and I think the players adapted well. Ba took their opportunities.