City aim high

 By FRANCIS RODNEY PULU

THE Lae City Dwellers have set themselves the goal of winning their remaining three games of the National Soccer League’s Northern Conference, coach Peter Gunemba says.

He said being the only undefeated team in the conference, the challenge was for his side to maintain the standard set and continue to improve as they headed into the second stage of the competition. Gunemba said the franchise was putting its top side out for every game and the expectation was to finish on top of the pool.

He said their weekend opponents Admiralty, who were second-last in the conference standings, were some way off a top-two spot but would still pose a problem if taken lightly in the round eight clash on Sunday.

“We are the defending champions and if we want to keep that title, we have to maintain a high standard in every game,” Gunemba said.

He said it was important to keep pace with their main rivals Hekari, who are leading the Southern Conference.

“We were the first club to break Hekari’s dominance by winning the title last year. We want to maintain that.”

Gunemba said their campaign for the remaining games was boosted with the return of Michael Foster from Rapatona to help midfielder Troy Gunemba.

“We have some good strike power in Raymond Gunemba, Joachim Waroi and Nigel Dabinyba.

“In the back line we have Morsi Miludwua, Joshua Talau, Valentine Nelson, Goro Paul and Kalos Peka, who have been strong for us all season,” he said.

In their last outing, the two sides drew 0-0.

Admiralty coach Peter Sakael said his side had not given up hope on a top-three spot and their aim of sneaking into the playoff position would start with a victory over the champions.

Admiralty would be banking on captain Andrew Marampau to lead the charge, with the help of Lote Richard, Nigel Yohang, Tony Mayang, Lahai William, Soso Poliap and Shane Sakael.

At the Laiwaden Oval, home side Madang are expected to easily account for lowly Goroka Gosiha, who have struggled all season losing every game. A Madang win will see them cement their top-two position. Morobe United take on Besta United in the other conference match. Northern Conference: Dwellers 17, Madang 12, Welgris 11, Besta 9, Admiralty 9, Goroka 0.