| Sports |
PNG wins gold medal in women
soccer
By HENRY MORABANG
PNG women won gold
for the second consecutive Games when they beat Tonga 3-1 in an
extra time at Blatter Soccer Park at Taleafa Sports Complex on
Saturday night.
Cheered on by the PNG contingent, PNG came back from a 1-0
deficit to draw at regulation time and force the final into
extra time.
The scoreline was no indication of the performance as both
finalists went down to the wire.
PNG had couple of scoring opportunities early on through
defender Cathy Horris and midfielder Tracey Kig but the ever
reliable Tonga goalkeeper Mele Teukialupe Likiliki was equal to
the task to stop the PNG raids.
Tonga, who had a good defensive record without conceding any
goals, had denied PNG chances with their brickwall defence.
Midway through the opening half, striker Penateti Feke who
always proved dangerous when she touched the ball made use of
her speed to beat right defender Miriam Lanta to slice the ball
through the net.
PNG goalkeeper Linda Bunaga who was outstanding throughout the
night could not hold the ball as it slid through her arms and
into the net.
The goal by Tonga was certainly a wake-up call for the defending
champions.
In the second half, coach Francis Moiyap instructed his players
to lift themselves and play their normal football.
Lanta, sweeper Carolyn Moeder, Horris and Helen Baki, until
red-carded for foul, played strongly while skipper Julie Alau,
Kig until replaced, Deslyn Siniu and winger Daisy Winas put up a
good fight against the Tonga defenders.
Moiyap made a timely substitution in bringing in Lydia Barnabas
and Ara Midi who added fire to the PNG attack that started
troubling the Tonga defence.
Midi scored PNG first goal after beating the Tonga defence to
level the score to force the extra time.
The first half of the extra time was scoreless until in the
second half, Midi collected her second to put PNG in front.
Fatigue took its toll on Tonga players which had them crumbling
down to the ground while PNG stepped up.
In the ensuing play the Tonga defenders did not clear that ball
which landed on a waiting Lydia Barnabas scored to put the game
out of reach.
Tonga’s Atelaite Taufa Manu, Matelita Misinale, Kulia Filo
always looked dangerous but the PNG defence was equal to the
task
Fiji settled for the bronze.
PNG now qualifies for a home-and-away Olympic Games qualifier
with the winner advancing to the World Cup.
 
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