Defence shock Rapatona

 By HENRY MORABANG

AN improved Defence FC fought their way into the top four of the Port Moresby Men’s Super League shocking leaders, Rapatona FC 4-3 over the weekend.

They did this despite conceding three goals to Rapatona’s Madang striker Alwin Komolong in the second half.

The young Defence side outplayed their more experienced rivals and would have had a runaway scoreline except for the own defensive error which saw Rapatona scored their three goals and came in hard in the last 20 minutes.

But it was the Defence combination of skipper Todd Lipson and PNG Under-20 striker Pettyson Elizah that caught out the Rapatona midfield led by Michael Foster, Roniel Igens and Kelly Jampu as Defence ran loose all over Bisini Football Park.

Lipson and Pettyson were rewarded with a goal each while the other two goals came from Clayton Leonard and Marcellius Jui. 

The absence of Defence lanky Australian backliner Lockland McGovern was obvious with the team’s backline lacking coordination allowing the three goals from Rapatona.

Defence coach Selan Elizah said after the game that the boys played according the game plan. 

Instructions were to maintain discipline and cut down on mistakes and the strikers to work overtime.

“I am very happy with the performance. Just some more coordination in the midfield would have been good but we worked hard on it and it paid off. The top four is still wide open, and I’m happy with the boys’ performance but we need to string some more wins,” Elizah said.

Rapatona’s best were Felix Bondaluk and Komolong.

Defence are running sixth in the 11-team men’s Super League competition.

In the other matches played, the John Mogi-coached Cosmos edged out University 2-1 in a tight and exciting game and Yamaros beat Blue Kumuls 1-0, PS Rutz beat Hard Rock 1-0 and Mungkas came from behind to draw with Maclaren 1-1.

Super League Ladder: Yamaros 18, Momase 17, Rapatona 17, Maclaren 17, Cosmos 16, Defence 15, University Inter 13, PS Rutz 9, Blue Kumuls 8, Mungkas 8 and Hard Rock 4.