Team Wellington’s title defence could not have started any better as the men from the New Zealand capital stamped their mark early with a period of controlled possession to move Ba around the pitch, with playmakers Mario Illich and Aaron Clapham in particular dictating terms.
After nine minutes, a killer ball from Nathan Hailemariam unlocked Ross Allen, whose cutback was steered home by Aaron Clapham to give the reigning champions an early advantage.
