United, Hills showdown
GELLE Hills outplayed Inspac Rapatona in all aspects of the game to win 3-0 to meet Hekari United in the replay of last year’s NSL grand final next week.
In the early game, United brushed aside a strong challenge from Tuguba Laitepo Morobe Kumuls to win 3-1.
Both matches were played in Port Moresby on Saturday.
Hills and Rapatona started their game in the same fashion as the early match between Kumuls and United.
Striker Tau Winnie displayed his own class by scoring the Hills opening goal to put them in front.
Surprisingly Rapatona had lanky fullback-cum-striker Ricky Mesak as co-striker to Tapas Posman while regular Percy Mataiao was moved to the flank.
Rapatona midfield broke down with Chique Posman having difficulty working with Lawrence Diau while two flankers Mataiao and Ben Lewen had to work overtime to win balls to cross.
In the backline, Elijah Sigamata, skipper Russel Inai and Adolf Horris had to work overtime to stop the rampaging Hills frontline.
Hills Ben Lakasa and Tau Winnie proved a handful for Rapatona defence when they touch the ball.
In the midfield skipper Nathan Vincent, Steven Mali until replaced, Donovan Kabewa played strongly throughout cutting down Chique Posman and his team mates from supplying the ball to their strikers.
The game was so tight and neither side could find the net, for a scoreless first half.
In the second half, Hills under coaching guidance of Robert Popat changed their game plan to see Tau Winnie scoring the first goal.
The game seesawed until Hill collected the second for the afternoon from own goal when Rapatona goalkeeper Richard Lapan hit the ball into the net as he attempt to clear it from the corner kick.
The goal had put Hills in the comfortable zone before replacement striker was brought down by fullback John Baulo for committing a foul in the penalty box for Ila Ilaita to score the winner.
Hills now will play Hekari United while Morobe Kumuls will set a date with Rapatona for the third and fourth spot.
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