City plans to import more

KUMUL Petroleum National Soccer League champions Lae City will look to recruit more overseas players to boost their Oceania Football Confederation Champions League campaign next season, says an official.
City owner Ian Chow told The National on Wednesday that he was looking at importing footballers from the Solomon Islands to play alongside Ecuadorian pair Abdias Aguirre and Gustine Icaza.
The Lae Biscuit Company owner said he wanted his side to be among the best teams in Oceania.
“I’m not sure about importing players from countries other than the Solomon Islands as Covid-19 has affected business.
“It’s expensive (to import and take care of overseas players) so we’ll wait and see. But it’s our aim to win the Champions League and in order to do so, we have to field the best team.
“The only local side that have a good Champions League record are (2010 Fifa Club World Cup contenders) Hekari United and we have to win the regional tournament to qualify for the showpiece event.
“We have a great team at the moment but we still need to recruit.
“I am happy with the two Ecuadorians, especially Aguirre.
“His legs are powerful and he played well in Saturday’s 1-0 grand final win over Vitiaz United.”
Chow said City’s future looked bright under former national men’s team coach Bob Morris, who took charge of the side midway through this season. “We now have disciplined and dedicated players under him,” he said.
“We’ve been lacking discipline over the last couple of years.
“But with this team, I see there is positivity in the side.”
Meanwhile, Chow commended City for winning their sixth-straight domestic title.