Big guns set to ignite city fans

By ISAAC LIRI
NATIONAL Soccer League big guns Madang FC and Toti City FC are set to ignite soccer fans in Port Moresby on Saturday.
The round seven double-header at the PNG Football Stadium will see Toti City take on Southern Strikers while FC Momase face Madang FC who returned from their OFC Champions League campaign.
The last time Momase met the defending champions in Lae, the game could have gone their way but they lost 2-1. Now with their home fans behind them this weekend, the Rosen Matanga-coached side will surely want to beat the country’s best side.
On the other hand Toti City are bound for the OFC Champions League quarterfinals next month in New Zealand and says coach Peter Gunemba they will be using their four remaining NSL games to prepare for the big stage.
The Lae Biscuit-sponsored side is currently unbeaten with five wins, scoring 26 goals in five matches making them favourites, while Momase have one win, two draws and two losses scoring nine goals in their five previous matches.
The opening match of the double-header between Madang and Southern Strikers will no doubt be an entertaining one as well.
Currently on second spot on the NSL ladder with three wins, one draw and one loss scoring 18 goals in five matches, Madang will obviously want to prove their status as PNG’s second best side.
Although the Mauri Wasi-coached side lost all their pool matches in Auckland last week, experience and skill in the side will obviously give them the edge to settle with a good result this weekend.
The experience of Michael Foster and veteran Neil Hans is much needed at this stage of the NSL and a win would definitely beef up their confidence.
Southern Strikers, meanwhile, will need to improve on last week’s performance against Momase as the 2-2 draw did not go down well with coach Margaret Aka.
The hosts, who won only one game this season, will have to restore some pride and impress their fans at home.
Aka will need to inject some life into the team and will be counting on her striking duo Richard Alois and Pettysen Elijah to step up.
Fixtures: 1230 Southern Strikers v Madang FC, 1500 FC Momase v Toti City FC (POM), 1500 Buang FC v FC Morobe Wawens (Lae)
Bye: Besta PNG United FC