The semi professional soccer competition, National Soccer League (NSL), resume this weekend as teams fight it out to consolidate their positions on the competition ladder.
Competition leaders Hekari United will want to erase the bad memories of their opening match when they take on Tuguba Laitepo Blue Kumuls in the main game of the NSL fixtures at PNGFA Academy in Lae, Morobe province.
United grabbed the one-point lead after beating Welgris Highlanders 2-1.
The National was unable to contact United coach Jerry Allan on his plans regarding the upcoming NSL challenge.
United is likely to field a full-strength side with Andrew Lepani calling the shots in the midfield along side David Muta.
Lepani will also be needing help from Jack Samani, Eric Komeng and Abraham Enoch, while upfront, Kema Jack and Abraham Iniga should combine well to beat the Kumuls defence to make the difference.
United was without Jack in the opening match, but now with him in the lineup, it is going to be interesting to see how Kumuls will cope.
Kumul coach Max Foster said his boys were looking forward to play United.
He said United were the leaders.
“We have to play our game right to beat United to grab the lead. The Kumuls are currently in second place along with Inspac Rapatona and Gelle Hills on 12 points apiece.”
Foster agreed that it would be a fiery encounter as United would want to erase the bad memories of their 3-nil thrashing in the opening round.
He said he would field a regular side of Raymond Gunemba and Clifford Wate in the front while flankers Fabian Bagi and Billy Namush would join Richard Daniel and Guti Soweri in the midfield.
Foster has surplus of players in Armstrong Peka, Michael Foster, Cyril Muta, the younger brother of United midfielder David, and ageless Ken Gule to back the starting 11 tomorrow. In the early games, Inspac Rapatona will take on Madang Besta while Welgris Highlanders play Madang Fox.