BA Women FC Kick Off Their OFC Women's Champions League Campaign With A Win!
Press Release – Oceania Football Confederation
Two goals in three minutes midway through the second half have helped BA Women FC defeat Henderson Eels FC 2-0 to kick off their OFC Womens Champions League campaign in style.
The Fijian side which had been largely second best in the opening stanza, came to life after the break with two clinical finishes from Koleta Likuculacula and Asenaca Naio in the 65th and 68th minutes.
Despite the loss, the team from the Solomon Islands are confirmed in the semi-finals thanks to their 5-0 win over Tupapa Mararenga in the opening match of the tournament.
Henderson Eels had largely dominated in midfield and appeared more likely of the two sides to break the deadlock as the match wore on.
Lorina Solosaia had the best opportunity to put the Eels in front in the 54th minute when she was put through on goal, but the advancing Mereseini Waqali in the BA goal forced her to shoot just wide.
Waqali proved to be a hero for BA Women FC making a string of fantastic saves in the first half.
After 12 minutes when the always dangerous Ileen Pegy weaved her way into the box, her right footed effort was hit straight at Waqali, But a minute later Pegi orchestrated an attack down the right and pulled the ball back inside the box for Veronica Tolivaka to fire at goal, with Waqali diving to her right to make a wonderful save.
20 minutes in and BA Women worked the ball well down the right and Koleta Likuculacula laid the ball off to Evivi Buka whose long range attempt was well struck but went just wide of the post.
Waqali then produced the save of the first half to deny Henderson Eels from a free kick in the 29th minute tipping the ball over the crossbar and keeping her side level at the break.
Despite the loss Henderson Eels are through to the semi finals. Tupapa Maraerenga will need to beat BA Women FC by four goals on Saturday (Tahiti time) to qualify and deny the Fijian side a semi-final place.
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