By SAMPSON BONAI
A REJUVINATED Tuguba Laitepo Morobe Kumuls is out to take over the lead of the National Soccer League from Inspac Rapatona when they meet at PNGFA Academy oval tomorrow.
The Kumul versus Rapatona game will be the main game of the double header hosted in Lae. In the early game, Gelle Hills, who were on bye last weekend, will take on Madang Fox.
In Port Moresby, Hekari United will play host to Madang Besta Fighters.
The Lae-based team, Morobe Kumuls came from behind after trailing 0-2 at halftime interval to force a 3-3 draw with Hekari United to secure the third spot with 13 points on the competition ladder and Inspac Rapatona moved to the top of the ladder with 15 points after disposing of Besta Madang Fighters, who is sitting with six points.
Hekari will have a hard time over Madang Besta, who have yet to find a winning combination under the guidance of John Gringo and his assistant Bonny Pongo.
Morobe Kumuls coach Max Foster was not letting any opportunity to slip past his figures and had instructed his players not to take the game lightly but to treat it as a grand final and to play the full 90 minutes of tough football.
“I have not finalised the team but it will field the same side that drew with Hekari United last weekend and will announce the final side today before we take on Rapatona tomorrow,” Foster said.
Mathew Yang who featured prominently against Hekari United should retain his stopper’s position with fellow team mates Cyril Muta and Rodney Taulau to repeat the same performance against Rapatona.
Ken Gule and Koniel Igens and Armstrong Peka and PNG captain Richard Daniel will control the midfield area and will ensure that the ball being distributed to the flankers Foster and Was if they want to score any goals against Rapatona.
Inspac Rapatona is likely to retain the same team that Besta Madang. Coach Clement Cafu Anison who laughed all the way to the airport will have to think twice when they take on the locals – Morobeens tomorrow.
“I’m happy with our performance last week as the boys stuck to their positional play to outsmart their opponents in the midfield and in the striking position up front to contain our opposition as I have instructed the players to keep tabs on Gunemba, Daniels, Kanbai and Michael Foster when they are in possession of the ball,” Anison said.
Robert Diau should lead his assault up front and should be supported well by Andrew Marampau, Lawrence Diau, Russel Inai and Kailou Puru who combined well to shut out Madang Fighters last week and will be expected to repeat the same against the Morobeans.