FIJI’S champion Ba beat the visiting Brigham Young University 1-0 at Govind Park last night.

Veteran striker Josaia Bukalidi was the hero for the side as he nailed the winner deep in the second spell.

Vodafone Ba bounced back after a loss to Suva 2-1 in the New World National League and showed it is still a champion side.

BYU become the latest scalp for Ba as in recent years the side has beaten the India national team and the New Zealand Fijian champion, Nadi.

BYU is set to play Lautoka tomorrow and Suva on Monday. The visitors are not here just for football but will also participate in service projects and church activities apart from its friendly matches in the country.

The purpose of this international trip is to help the team prepare for the upcoming season, which starts May 16.

Assistant coach Chad Sackett said this trip will create a bond between the players before the start of the season. "It is great for the youth of the church to see," Sackett said. "They say to themselves, I can play soccer and still have the church in mind. Not only do the players benefit from the trip, but the members do as well."

"After playing the Fijian national team last year, both teams created a good relationship with each other. We were invited to Fiji by the national team, which led to this year's international trip."

BYU recently hosted the Real Salt Lake Reserves and instead of charging money for tickets, fans were required to bring new or used soccer boots as a means of admission to the game. Hundreds of boots which were collected at the game have been brought down by the team along with soccer balls and T-shirts to distribute to hundreds of Fijian children. The team will also host clinics teaching soccer skills to children.

"Not many guys have the opportunity to play against this quality of soccer," said senior defender Clay Christenson.

"Playing a different style of soccer than they are used to in America gives the team confidence heading into the season. 

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