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Sydney teams reclaim veterans titles

The SM Singh and Billy Singh Cups will fly across the Tasman with the Sydney Ba and Nalawa XOB teams reclaiming them.

In an exciting final held at Center Park Stadium, Mangere on January 30, Sydney Ba proved too strong for the new look NZ Ba team scoring a 3 – 0 victory.

While in the Over 40s Division, Nalawa XOB accounted for their archrivals Sydney Ba 2-1 and wrote history by winning the Billy Singh Cup two years in a row.

A packed crowd witnessed some exciting soccer over four days in the 13th year of the NZ Fiji Veterans Soccer Association.

The final was full of flair as former national and district reps thrilled the crowd with awesome football. Being last year’s finalists, both Sydney Ba and NZ Ba wanted to prove critics wrong and with the services of former reps in Luke Tavuyara, Rohitendra Sharma, Esala Masi, Paulisasi Singh, Surya Singh, Shalendra Lal, Raj Gounder, Keni Doidoi and Viliame Batedegei there was no doubting that Sydney Ba would be the favourites.

On the other hand, NZ Ba had some first time veterans in Sameer Ali, Sharfaraz Ali and Mukesh Chand but failed to capitalise on the chances offered to them.

The midfield and backs had to work overtime to contain former Fijian Captain Esala Masi, Shalen Lal, Keni Doidoi and Surya Singh.

It was the combination of these teammates that opened the account for Syd Ba midway in the first half after Esala set up Surya down the right flank and Keni provided the final changes to give Syd Ba the lead at the break.

Sydney Ba had more energy after the break and having taken the lead were in full flight to seal the match early in the second spell. After continuing to attack, they were paid when Golden Boot winner Esala thumped one in to make it 2-0.

Exciting soccer

NZ Ba on the counter attacks did get opportunities but solid defence from ex- Nadroga and Fiji Under 23 reps Pundit Sharma and Pauliasi Singh kept them at bay.

In the 18th minute of the second half, team Director and Sydney Ba’s impact player Sachindra Kamal [Pulle] was injected into the team and instantly paid dividends as sealed victory after receiving a well-timed pass from Sanjay Singh.

Sydney Ba claimed the title two in a row and according to Sachin, they will be back for the hat trick next year. On the other hand, NZ Ba coach Dinesh Chand was graceful in defeat and appreciated his boys efforts and echoed the sentiments that the better team won.

Both teams played consistently throughout the tournament and earlier in the day Sydney Ba accounted for Suva 3-0 before thumping surprise semi –finalist Dreketi in the semi-final, 4-0, While NZ Ba fought hard to get past Mudu Hoyts Lautoka 1-0 before accounting for Lorima Batiregaga and Jope Lomu’s Sydney Combine 2 -0.

Sydney Ba walked away with the S M Singh Cup, $5000 and Gold Medals while NZ Ba were rewarded with the Runners-up Cup ,$2000 and Silver medals for their efforts.

Fierce contest

The Quarter-final results: Sydney Combine 3 Sydney Savusavu 0, Syd Ba 3 –Suva 0, Ba 1- Lautoka 0, Dreketi 2 Sydney Bua 1.

The Billy Singh Cup Over 40s final was fiercely contested as arch rivals Sydney Ba and Nalawa Xavier Old Boys from Sydney played it out. In a fired first half, former Ba rep Christopher Raj’s well timed cross in the 15th minute was neatly headed into the far corner of the net by Golden Boot winner Ram Sami to give the Sydney Ba side a 1-0 lead. This was short lived as a silly tackle caused Christopher his second yellow card and Nalawa were reduced to 10 men. This put a lot of pressure on the team and when Usaia Koroimeca fouled Rajesh Kumar in the box, it started the comeback for the Nalawa team.

Fiji Rep Goalkeeper Isikeli Seva judged the spot kick quite well and saved what looked legitimate but the kick was retaken after the assistant referee ruled him to be encroaching and moving off his goal line.

The second time around Rajesh did not miss and brought Nalawa level 1-1. The second half was good entertaining soccer and it was the MVP award winner Abdul Janif that got the winner for the Nalawa boys. Nalawa team coordinator master Rajnesh Sharma was ecstatic with the victory and said that he was confident that the team would retain the title.

In the semi-finals, Nalawa were taken to their limits until 3 errors in the Has Beens defence gave them a comfortable 3-0 win while Sydney Ba beat their Sydney buddies Sydney Savusavu by the same margin.

Tournament Chairman Ayaaz Khan said that the over 40’s division had created more interest this year as teams like Federal, Canada and Has Beens are already looking forward to recruiting for next year’s competition.

The tournament was a success as more spectators went through the gates and a total of 25 teams participated. The conditions were perfect , the whole family were present in some cases and the atmosphere was what we had expected.

Other Awards:

Best Manager Over 35s: Rayjeet Raj– Sydney Bua; Over 40s : Nukul Deo – Hamilton

Best Goal Keeper Over 35s – Luke Tavuyara; Over 40s- Mohammed Arif – Nalawa XOB; Best Dressed Team Over 35s – Labasa; Over 40s – Sydney Savusavu; Fair Play Award – Over 35s – Dav Ob; Over 40’s – Federal.

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