Dwellers stay positive

By ISAAC LIRI
The Lae City Dwellers are confident they can make the final after arriving in the country on Wednesday after a successful Group A campaign in the OFC Champions League in Vanuatu, .
Despite finishing second in their group behind Vanuatu’s Nalkutan FC, coach Peter Gunemba says the team has a positive vibe and are in good form.
The Lae Biscuit-sponsored side won two of their group matches against Cook Islands’ Tupapa Maraerenga (7-2) and Ba FC of Fiji (1-0) before a reality check in their 4-1 loss to Nalkutan.
The achievement of becoming PNG’s second club to advance to the quarterfinals has raised hopes within the club.
The first PNG franchise to win the OFC Champions League was Hekari United FC in 2010.
“From the performance of the boys this year, I see that they are more confident than before,” coach Gunemba said.
“If we can maintain our current form, we can go all the way and win the Champions League.
“This is our third time to take part in the Champions League and I think to qualify for the quarterfinals for the first time shows that the team has improved,” Gunemba said.
With OFC allowing only three foreign players in any Champions League team, Gunemba said the new regulation suited the Dwellers and other Pacific Island nations.
“Auckland City, defending champions of the OFC Champions League are usually dominated by foreign players from outside the Oceania region,” Gunemba said.
“With the new regulation in place, we may have a better chance of winning the tournament, however Auckland City are still a strong team even without their foreign players.
“So apart from us aiming to win the Champions League, any team, especially the clubs from the Pacific islands, can win too with the new regulation in place.”