Sekove Naivakananumi’s last-minute goal clinched a dramatic 3-3 draw for Labasa against Ba in Round 8 of Digicel Fiji Premier League at Subrail Park today.
Ba seized an early advantage when Etonia Dogalau’s 6th-minute shot deflected off a Labasa defender and into the net.
However, the lead was short-lived as Labasa equalised seven minutes later through Christopher Wasasala’s penalty, during which Raj Pillay and Mohammed Raheem of Ba, along with Suliano Tawanakoro, received yellow cards.
The first half concluded with the score tied at 1-1, but not before Dogalau received a yellow card in the 32nd minute, adding to the tense atmosphere.
The second half saw Ba regaining the lead in the 52nd minute through Dogalau.
Labasa’s hopes were briefly dashed when their 55th-minute goal was disallowed for offside.
Ba extended their lead in the 57th minute with a remarkable solo effort from Penisoni Tirau, making it 3-1.
Labasa responded quickly, with Netani Suluka netting their second goal the 61st minute, tightening the scoreline at 3-2.
The tension reached a peak when Ba’s manager, Vincent Ali, was red-carded for arguing with the match officials.
The game’s intensity heightened in the 70th minute when Tawanakoro received his second yellow, reducing Ba to ten men.
As the match neared its end, Labasa thought they had equalized again, but their 86th-minute goal was also disallowed for offside.
In a stressful finale, defender Naivakananumi emerged as Labasa’s hero, scoring in the dying moments to level the match at 3-3 against the 10 men Ba side.
Extra Labasa remains in second spot after the draw with 15 points while Ba remains third with 14 points.
