City regroup for NSL

By ISAAC LIRI
REGROUPING after their 11-0 Oceania Football Confederation Champions League quarterfinal capitulation to Team Wellington, Toti City have now set their sights on the National Soccer League.
The Peter Gunemba-coached side were embarrassed by Team Wellington but learned some valuable lessons from the experience.
Gunemba said the players had taken time to recover from the defeat but their focus was now switched to finishing off the NSL season strongly.
The defending champions arrive in Port Moresby today to play the Southern Strikers in their round 12 fixture at the Sir John Guise Stadium tomorrow. “The boys have been talking through the week saying they will use the losing experience as maotivation to do better in the NSL,” Gunemba said.
“I think that loss was good because it opened our eyes and taught us a lesson but we’re not demoralised by it, we know that it will also bring the best out of us.
“Now we want to finish the NSL reason on a high note which means we have to defend the title we won in 2016.”
The Solomon Islands duo Andrew Rarangia and Tutizama Tanito will not return to the club this season but will be invited to join next season.
On the other hand, the Strikers who haven’t played a game in three weeks are hoping the scares from Auckland are still fresh so they can capitalise on any nerves the Lae side may still have.
“It will be very tough for us as expected but we need this win and we’re prepared to do whatever it takes to get the points at home,” Aka said.
“My players know that it’s a must-win game for us and we have to deliver.”
The last time the two sides met was in round 8 where City beat the youth side 3-0 in Lae.
The Strikers were the better side for most of that fixture but let the game slip in the second half as a fired up City, spurred on by the home crowd, surged back to win the game.
“This time, I think we’re well prepared and we’re definitely looking for payback,” Aka added.
The Strikers are clinging onto sixth spot on four points from a win, a draw and four losses while their unbeaten opponents sit on top of the ladder.
In other NSL matches this tomorrow, Besta PNG United will be looking for a win against the struggling Buang FC in Lae while the match between Madang and FC Momase at Laiwaden Oval has been called off due to the unrest in Madang.
FC Morobe Wawens have the bye.
Round 12 Fixtures: Sat, April 14 – Strikers v Toti City (NCD), Besta United PNG v Buang (Lae.