Bara ready for visitors Hamatana

By LARRY ANDREW
WOMEN’S National Soccer League Northern Conference winners Bara are optimistic about recording a win New Guinea Islands runners-up Hamatana in their quarterfinal at 11-Mile outside Lae tomorrow.
Coach Susan Watpore told The National that the hosts had retain all their foundation players and recruited five players for this season.
“The support of Lae Biscuit Company has boosted the morale of my players who continue to play hard to produce consistent results,” she said.
“Their consistency has seen us finish at the top of the conference.
“We prepared well for the game last week, it had been postponed to this weekend.
“But the postponement has given my players more time to recover from their injuries as we continue our preparations for the clash at the Papua New Guinea Football Association Education Centre.”
Watpore said she had faith in her team despite the unavailability of representative players in captain Kesai Kotome, Margaret Joseph and Charlie Marip.
“With the experience of some senior players, having played for the country, it will greatly help our younger players to push for a win,” she said. “We don’t know how our opponents play, but we’ll not take them lightly as they are here to be competitive.
“We are ready for a tough contest.
“We will be banking on the experience of sisters Eunice and Rita Nabalu, Jenisa Ulengit, goalkeeper Irene Kenny, Leah Barnabas, Koru Somi and Nenny Elipas.
“I’m confidence that my players will come out as winners.
“We wish Northern Conference runners-up Poro well in their quarterfinal tomorrow.”