Admiralty on winning course

 By HENRY MORABANG

ADMIRALTY Peliau registered their maiden victory after upsetting Eastern Stars 3-0 in the National Soccer League third round match played at the Bisini Soccer ground in Port Moresby on Saturday.

In front of a packed Oval, the Manusians wasted no time in making their intentions with Solomon Islands import Moffat Kalifa getting the score-sheet rolling with a 24th minute goal.

Admiralty’s changes in midfield that saw Roniel Igens moved from flank to midfield to support Michael Foster paid off handsomely.

Igens and Kalifa called shots for the newcomers in the Telikon-sponsored competition to starve the Huawei-sponsored Milne Bay franchise of goals.

Admiralty reshuffled their backline, bringing in Rodney Talau, Gabriel Kanamon, Kialou Poru and rushed in Mark Gabono, who provided much need support for Kalifa upfront.

Eastern Stars blamed their loss on the absence of key duo Kelly Jampu (injury) and Joshua Niebo who was red-carded and watched disconsolately from the sideline.

In the second half, Admiraly came out to score through Igens in the 56th minute before Pettyson Elijah sealed the game with a long strike to make it 3-0.

Stars franchise owner Joseph Ealadona congratulated Admiralty on their win, saying they effectively used the Stars’ weak link on the right to score. “I have faith with my technical staff led by Trevor Ire and the players and I am sure we will bounce back,” he said.

In the other matches played, at PNGIPA Oval, Hekari United shrugged off a strong challenged from Oro to cruise 3-0 while Gigira Laitepo downed a young Besta outfit 2-0. 

The unofficial ladder: Hekari 7, Gigira 7, Oro 4, Admiralty 3, Lae 3, Eastern Stars 1, Besta 0.