Alec’s dream shattered

ALEC Pruaitch is one of many guest players who supported their home province to compete in the 4th PNG Games currently underway in Port Moresby.
The young chap from Ulau village in East Coast Aitape decided to abstain from school to join up with Team Sandaun soccer side.
His dream to play in the finals of the PNG Games was shattered by a goal difference.
Madang edged them with a goal difference to qualify for the knock-outs which started yesterday at Telikom Park, Bisini.
Madang, who had earlier defeated Sandaun 2-1 qualified for the finals in their Pool D match along with Bougainville.
Even though, Madang and Sandaun were equal on goal percentage, Madang edged them out because they defeated them 2-1 to advance to the finals.
Despite, Team Sandaun missing out in the finals, Alec had learnt a lot supporting and helping his fellow Sandaun teammates during games of such magnitude.
The Ulau chap is not a star player but a valuable reserve flanker for the team.
In their last match against Enga which Sandaun won, Alec went into the game in the last 15th minutes and proved an important member of the side with his strong attack which at times kept the opposition at bay.
Tournament director (soccer) for PNG Games Taku Niebo said Team Sandaun missed out by a goal to advance to the finals.
Teams who qualified yesterday are Morobe, Gulf in Pool A, Central, Manus (Pool B), New Ireland, NCD (Pool C) and Bougainville, Madang (Pool D).
In the women’s category are Morobe Central (Pool A), SHP, Bougainville (Pool B, NCD Enga (Pool C, WNB and Madang (Pool D).
Niebo said the finals were delayed by 20 minutes due to a sit-in protest by Team Simbu yesterday morning.
Team Sandaun also had their appeal declared  declared null and void with the decision going in favour of Madang.