Buang eyes top 4 after washed out games

NATIONAL Soccer League newcomers Buang have to beat Besta United on Saturday and then beat Yamaros in a washed out game to secure a place in the top four.
Winless over the first five rounds of the competition, the Prima-sponsored outfit saw some light at the end of the tunnel when they secured their first NSL win over Yamaros in round six.
Buang were thrashed by defending champions Lae City Dwellers twice – in round two and in round seven – but upset Madang in round four and PS United in round eight.
Despite the rough seas, a finals berth for the Gideon Hagai-coached side is possible.
Buang are fifth on the ladder with seven points, a win behind Besta United, who are fourth with 10 points.
Saturday’s clash at the Laiwaden Oval in Madang between Besta and Buang is a fight for the finals spot.
Hagai said he was aware of the talent in the Besta ranks but another impressive defensive effort by his team could get them a step closer to the finals.
“After most of our games early in the competition, we have thought seriously and we have changed our structures,” Hagai said.
“Last week we used the four-five-one format against Madang and we beat them. I think it was an 85 per cent defensive effort.
“It was a defensive format and it worked. I think for us as an underdog, a defensive format can help us cause problems for the other teams.
“Heading into our next game against Besta we will base our game upon defence again. If we get an opportunity to score we’ll hopefully take it.”
Meanwhile, Besta gave a scare to Lae City last weekend before going down 2-0 but the cream of PNG’s Under-20 talent would have been buoyed after pushing the reigning champions all the way.
Besta coach Harrison Kamake will be counting on his strikers led by youngster Barthy Kerobin to steer them to a win and more importantly to the finals.
Fixtures: Sat, July – Laiwaden Oval Madang; 1000 Buang v Besta United, 1230 Lae City Dwellers v PS United, 1500 Madang v Yamaros.