City ready for flying fox threat

 By HENRY MORABANG

THE Lae City Dwellers are just as determined as their opponents, Madang, to win the National Soccer League grand final, when they meet tomorrow at the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium in Lae.

Coach Peter Gunemba said his men were looking forward to the grand final.

“The guys are ready as this is a great opportunity for them to win their first NSL grand final which has been evading them for the last nine years — courtesy of Hekari United,” Gunemba said.

Several members of the Lae side — in particular Valentine Nelson, Jamphet Tiampo, Roland Warisan, Matterson Nasa, Essau Nasa — have plied their trade with former Gigira Laitepo Morobe United but without success and will be ravenous for the silverware.

Gunemba said this will be their best opportunity to win the title and they will make the most of it.

Lae’s potent combination of Raymond Gunemba and Nigel Dabinyaba has been instrumental in winning matches and both have already tasted success with Hekari over the last three seasons. 

Madang seem to have the deck stacked against them despite their giant-killing effort the previous week. 

The only players with experience in finals football are attacking mid-fielder Samuel Kini, Max Sengum, Under-23 star Alwin Komolong and another impressive talent in Vanya Malagian.

Gunemba said his side will not make the mistake of heading into the final falsely believing they already have the trophy in the bag, despite having beaten Madang twice during the season. 

Madang have their 3-2 win over Hekari to boost their morale — knowing they beat the league’s best side.

Coach Francis Moiyap said they have done something Lae had not  — beating the reigning champions in a finals match.

“Lae have not beaten Hekari yet, and they don’t know how tough it is,” Moiyap said.

The men from the flying fox town had come the hard way, and playing in Lae for the title was the next and final challenge.

‘We lost our two games against Lae this season but we won’t be losing a third time,” Moiyap said. The final kicks off at 3pm. Lae: Matterson Nasa, Morsie Milubwa, Valentine Nelson, Japhet Tiampo, Adolf Kumusi, Troy Gunemba, Ken Kepe, Billson Bullo, Obert Bika, Raymond Gunemba, C, Nigel Dabinyaba; Reserves: Essa Nasa, Mathew David, John Kichani, George Korei, Lee Wabing, Ronald Warisan, Goropaul Albert; Madang: Lehan Manase, Don Angongi, Max Sengum (c), Vincent Worio,  Langarap Samol, Vanya Malagian, Hanson Topio, Alwin Komolong, Samuel Kini, Eliuda Pohei, Sammy Hiob; Reserves: Francis Kawal, Barry Chimmi, Terence Bandi, Darren Steven, Keith Jiram, Hitolo Karo, Nigel Malagian.