THERE were two major upsets recorded in the semi professional soccer competition, the National Soccer League (NSL) on Saturday.
In Port Moresby, Welgris Highlanders reminded other NSL teams that the competition isn’t over yet when they upset Inspac Rapatona 2-1 and in Madang, Besta Madang Fighters thrashed Tuguba Laitepo Morobe Kumuls 4-0.
The Highlanders and Rapatona match started off well with both teams trying to find time to settle.
Rapatona opting for another approach wasted no time in the opening in the first minute of play when Andrew Marampau junior crossed the ball for former PNG representative and veteran Selan Elijah to head the first goal.
The goal put the Manusians in front until Highlanders had the opportunity to equalised when Marampau was penalised by referee Peter Paliwa for pushing Philip Apo in the 18-yard box.
Unfortunately, Gary Moka’s kick was pushed over the cross-bar by goalkeeper Tapas Posman to help his team stay in the lead.
Moka had other chances but these were denied by Rapatona cover defence until a literally unknown Highlander striker Jeffrey Normbi levelled the score 1-1 at half time.
Rapatona had couple opportunities through striker Chique Posman but the attempted shots were thwarted by Highlanders goalkeeper Anton Pipi. In fact, Posman had three shots at Highlanders goal mouth but all three were saved by Pipi.
In the second half, Highlanders came back complete with a different strategy – with their LFA recruits in skipper Ian Yanum, Esau Nassa and star midfielder Samuel Kini starting to take control of the match.
In fact, the Highlanders dominated the second half of the match with nippy winger Philip Apo stealing the show with his clever foot work and ball handling which caught Rapatona defence napping at times.
Normbi scored the second goal from a good cross for Ian Yanum to put the Highlanders in front 2-1 before he was replaced due to injury.
Yanum who went up to partner Moka also at times kept Rapatona’s defence guessing with his kicks.
In the early match, Gelle Hills failed to live up to their expectation when they were steamrolled by highly fancied Hekari United side 3-0.