Madang FC just managed to get by with a 3-2 win over a spirited Southern Strikers FC today in the first match of the double header in Port Moresby.
The visitors hit the front in the third minute when Captain Stahl Gubag scored off a cross kick.
Emmanuel Airem took Madang out to 3-0 at the break scoring twice in the 20th and again in the 32nd minute.
Rallied on by their supporters, the home side staged a fightback.
Richard Alois powered his side back into the contest striking twice in the 62nd and then again six minutes later to reduce the deficit to one point.
But Southern Strikers failed to make the most of their chances to score allowing a weary Madang side to win the match.
"The boys were pretty ordinary today.
"The young boys really really gave us a good game and stretched us."
"Fitness will be definitely something for us to work on.
"Fitness has been the main factor that has been letting the boys down.
"We get off to good leads but fitness gives away unnecessary ball possession and then we let easy goals go in," said Madang FC stand in coach, Charlie Posanau.