Soccer

Women make up majority of unbanked PNG population

http://www.looppng.com/content/women-make-majority-unbanked-png-population

It has been pointed out that the majority of PNG’s unbanked population is made up of women, especially in rural and urban settlement communities.

Tomscoll: PNG expecting downturn in rice imports

Alukuni were led by new recruit for Hekari United, Karo Ila and lead he did, when he fired through the first goal for his side in the 21st minute.

Alukuni continued to dominate possession and were two points midway through the second half when Ute Ila chipped the ball over the keeper to find the net.

Karo continued to direct play to guide his side to a comfortable win.

Asylum seekers disrupts Madang to Manus flights

​Air Niugini flight this morning from Madang to Manus has been disrupted.

http://www.looppng.com/content/asylum-seekers-disrupts-madang-manus-flights

Grand Chief maintains stand on O’Neill’s removal

Upaiga and teammate Tommy Semmy partnered to take Hekari home against PKA Rapatona FC 2-0 at the Bisini Soccer Ground.

Upaiga wasted no time scoring just five minutes into the game when he found the net to lead 1-0.

This was Upaiga’s second goal in the champion’s league following his first goal on Saturday when Hekari defeated Rapatona 1-0 in game one.

The score remained 1-0 at halftime after Rapatona tried to attack but struggled in the first half as Hekari’s defense  held firm.

The 16-year-old of mixed East Sepik and Gulf parentage realised her potential after being appointed to lead the U15 side to the Olympic Youth Games in 2014 and the U17 girls to the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) World Cup qualifier in Cook Islands in January 14-24.

Team manager,Vonnie Kapi Natto said the team came close to making the finals finishing second in Pool C behind Team Wellington in 2015.

Queens pocketed the K1, 000 and United collected K800 for their second best finish.  

And the Ward 13 ladies and 4 ladies shared K600 and K400 for the third and fourth placings finish.

The one week women’s tournament played at Kaltex oval was the sole major sporting activity witnessed in the soccer mad East Sepik capital.

Females of all ages from Wewak Urban and Rural made seven teams to play in the tournament organized by Dominica Karis, Kathryn Kusunan, Fridah Perite and Dominca Moka.

Joining the two sides in Group A will be Papua New Guinea club Lae City Dwellers, a side making their regional debut, as well as the yet-to-be-determined Solomon Islands S-League winners.

Auckland City FC coach Ramon Tribulietx witnessed the draw live, sharing a smile with captain Ivan Vicelich after learning their team would once again be taking on Amicale FC, a side they met twice in 2014 including the home-and-away final, and again in 2015.

“We are playing Amicale again, we’ve played them quite a few times in the past few years and that means we know them pretty well.”

This will see all 12 teams display their franchise club uniforms.

 TNSL Competition Manager, Simon Koima said everything was set and he is looking forward to a big season ahead.

All 12 teams have been divided into the Southern Conference and Northern Conference.

Teams in the Southern Conference are Hekari United FC, Rapatona FC, Erema FC, PS Huawei FC, Port FC Moresby and Welgris FC.

Teams in the Northern Conference are champions Lae City Dwellers, Madang Fox FC, Goroka FC, Besta United FC, Gigira Laitepo FC and Admiralty FC.

Manus defeated Central team Koupa 3 thanks to a one point difference in the penalty shootout to grab a spot in the grand final.

The defending champions were leading at half time 2-1 but Koupa bounced back in the second half to draw 3-3 at full time which forced the game into extra time.