Soccer

Coach Alex Reu revealed the names last night before travelling to Lae with the team early this morning.

He says the team will be captained by Madang FC skipper and midfielder Max Sengum and he will be assisted by another top Madang FC player, winger Vanya Malagin.

He said the team is named based on commitment to training and discipline, and aims to tackle the strong Southern, Highlands and NGI sides.

Mr Reu said the team is also made up of young under  20 players who have recently won the Momase Youth Tournament and some experienced MFC players.

Bridgette Paime, Amantha Mistera and Eswin Matlaun will have a chance to impress selectors at the PNGFA Academy when the camp starts on the 27th of this month.

Sepik Futsal Association president Clarence Hukahu was a proud and satisfied man seeing his products now getting recognition from the country’s soccer scouts.

“They are all Futsal products. I am very proud being the president of SFA

President Alex Toki says this grand final will be one of the biggest in the history of soccer in the LFA and will feature all the 11 division teams, both women and men’s.

Toki says the grand final day will feature under 17, Under 20, Under 20 Reserves grade both men’s and women’s , 1^st Division men’s, A League and Premiers.

This was part of PNG Football Association talent Identification program, giving young women the opportunity to show their soccer talent.

The program was run by PNGFA women's football development officer Frederica Sakette and national U20 assistant coach Margaret Aka.

Two stations were set up with three football activities taught by two coaches at each station.

Dribbling, passing and shooting were among the basic skills the young women learned before they put them into action with some games to close out the program.

Pendamon with 30 points are leading the competition  after their final match this week with a goal against Momase Football Club, the runners up with 18 points.

Papua New Guinea prolific national striker Nil Hans,  who plays for Pendamon,  sent a long range shoot in  the 85^th minute which the Momase goal keeper couldn’t save.

Momase put on a strong combination in the second half and had several chances but couldn’t convert the efforts into something meaningful in the net.

Most of their key players did not turn up which was a setback for them in that game.

They defeated Morobe United 2-0 in the grand final today at the UPNG Oval.

The boys in orange proved too strong, scoring eight minutes into the game to make it 1-0 through Patrick Aisa right in front of net.

Real Blacks’ strong defence kept them from scoring despite several attempts.

Morobe had the advantage of height but were scoreless at half time 1-0.

The second half was intense as both teams showed off their skills while the game picked up momentum and the crowd were on their feet supporting their favourite team.

One of his play mates told LOOP at the burial site this afternoon that Pila went with his friends to transport empty tins stored in big containers to sell them  in Lae.

It was revealed on their return they were drinking and the vehicle encountered unstable movement and suddenly the vehicle crashed into trees near the road and rolled over..

LOOP was told  that two men dwere pronounced dead after the accident and the driver was tajen to Modilon hospital in a  critical condition.

PNG took a 1-0 lead after the 8th minute of play when Patrick Aisa powered a kick into the nets.

PNG held on to the lead going into half time.

Fiji came out stronger in the second half and dominated possession early on in the game.

This resulted in the equalizer in the 53rd minute through Tony Tuivuna.

The game looked to be going towards a draw with three minutes extra time given.

PNG threatened to score in the opening minutes of play when Marie Kaipu was set up metres out from the goal but rushed her kick which went straight into the hands of goal keeper Honorine Pouidja.

New Caledonia’s Marielle Haocas nearly scored not long after when her penalty kick beat PNG’s goal keeper Fidelma Watpore but bounced off the top bar and was quickly cleared away.

PNG got another chance in the 21^st minute of play and Kaipu this time did not waste it as she slotted a ball past Pouidja to take a 1-0 lead.

PNG won the game in the first half, scoring all three of their goals through Georgina Kaikas, Ramona Padio and Meagen Gunemba.

Gunemba, after three games, has scored five goals.

PNG will meet New Caledonia for gold this Thursday. New Caledonia was too strong, beating Cook Islands 5-1 in the first semi-final earlier today.

This means Cook Islands play Samoa in the bronze play off.