Binatangs edged by Tonga in game 3

By LESLIE OMARO
PAPUA New Guinea Binatangs have missed out on a grand final spot after losing to Tonga by a goal in the second day of the Youth AFL Oceania cup yesterday.
Tonga 2.3 (15) defeated PNG 1.7 (13).
In the morning game PNG 10.14 (64) defeated Vanuatu 1.2 (8) but failed to keep their winning streak falling prey to the bigger Tongan boys.
The loss has ruined PNG’s chances of defending the title they won last year.
The ladder and final placings for the final series on Saturday has Nauru in first place followed by New Zealand, PNG, Tonga, Fiji and Vanuatu.
The draws for the finals on Saturday will see Fiji (5th) vs Vanuatu (6th), PNG (3rd) vs Tonga (4th) and the grand final between Zealand and Nauru after lunch (Fiji time).
 A clearly upset Binatangs coach Walter Yangomina speaking from Fiji yesterday said he was disappointed they missed in securing a place in the finals tomorrow.
“The game was played under heavy rain and you could not see half of the field.
“I’m disappointed we could not make the finals but the boys played very well against Tonga.
“There was a lot of scoring opportunities with Tonga in the third and final quarter but we just could not convert them into points.
“The Tongans were big boys but the boys got stuck in and were committed to the game.
“I’m not greatly disappointed about losing because I knew the boys played well it was just the draws did not end up in our favour.
“Yes, we will play Tonga again hopefully on a dry track and that should suit us.
“Looking from another perspective, in a sense it was good we’ve ended up third and now we have a chance to get even and take home a silver medal,” Yangomina said.
But it was all good news after all with 10 of the Binatangs squad members selected to play in the U18 South Pacific team.
The selected Binatangs are: Michael Macca, Jason So-ong, Freddy Kalandi, Christopher Mong, McQueen Mald, McTyson Bruce, Junior Frances, John Jim Lavatu, Kennedy Lavatu, Fitzgerald Jee.
The U18 South Pacific side will play Australian indigenous team the Flying Boomerangs today at 11am (PNG time).