City out to improve

Sports

By BENJAMIN KOITAKA
Toti City arrived in the country yesterday after securing their passage to the Oceania Football Confederation Championship League playoffs last week.
The Lae Biscuit Company-sponsored team transited to the Morobe capital ahead of their Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League (NSL) clash with Markham .
Head coach Peter Gunemba said after arriving from Port Vila that it was tough securing their passage to the playoffs.
“This tournament is good and I thank God for helping us get to the quarterfinals,” he said.
“Our preparations here weren’t good because we did not train in advance or play any lead-up matches.
“Lead-up matches allow you analyse the game.
“This helps your players work on the areas they are poor at.
“But we didn’t have that opportunity before we left for New Caledonia.
“We played only one NSL game before leaving for the Champions League.”
Gunemba said all their opponents in the group stage were tough.
“I think pool A was the toughest because these teams were very competitive,” he said.
“I’ve seen Malampa (Revivors) play before but this time, they were a lot better.
“We drew 3-3 against Tahiti’s AS Tefana in our first match.
“From there, we were corrected our mistakes and came back stronger in our next to games.
“My players were quick to pick up from their mistakes in the first game.
“Our main issue in the first game was our defence.
“It was not tight enough.
“That’s what cost us maximum points.
“Our strength is our attack.
“We have very good strikers in the likes of Raymond Gunemba and Nigel Dabinyaba.
“Malampa are a very good team.
“We beat them in 2017 but they improved a lot this time around.
“With their new recruits, including two Japanese players, they were really skilful throughout the game.
“But we now have to work hard before attending the playoffs.
“We have to work hard to tighten our defence because the teams in the playoffs will be a lot tougher.”