FC Port Moresby eyes fiery return to soccer league

 By FRANCIS RODNEY PULU

PORT Moresby FC is back on the National Soccer League scene after a one year absence and are determined to pick up where they left off.

The club entered the Telikom-sponsored semi-professional league in 2013, making the final against Hekari United, which they lost 1-0.

According to club captain Reginald Davani, the side was keen to repeat their debut season effort by making the final and even going one better in 2015.

If POM FC were to win the title, it would have been a record in itself, with the club in  only its second season and  most likely needing to beat nine-time reigning champions Hekari, who have been by far the most consistent performer over the competition’s nine year history.

Davani said by coming back into the league after being forced to sit out last season, they were motivated to be one of the best clubs in the competition. 

He said a top three finish was their initial goal and anything after that would be a bonus.

Davani said the club had managed to retain their 2013 squad with new recruits in the likes of Andrew Lepani, Josh Niebo, Aaron Hexton, Niel Hans and Vaniya Malangan.

He  said that coming back to the league and expecting to dominate would be a big challenge but he was confident in the talent, the management and the plans they had for the season.

“This is our recovery period — the more we play with the other teams, we will adjust,” he said.

Davani said he was not expecting the competition to be easy with clubs like Admiralty and Oro proving in 2014 that they had the quality to be competitive against Hekari.

“Everyone knows that Hekari are the champions of the NSL and are a club that has competed at higher levels in the Oceania League and the world stage at the FIFA Club World Cup so we are aware of the challenge in front of us.” 

Davani said the club was privileged to have the services of former professional player Scott Bishop from New Zealand, who is in Port Moresby for work purposes and it was a pleasing coincidence to have him on board as the goalkeeping trainer.

He said Bishop had played in the United Kingdom and both men had played together in New Zealand.

The team would be coached by former national coach Robert Popat.

The club is sponsored by NCD Governor Powes Parkop — who is the club’s patron — together with Puma Energy.

The National Soccer League starts on Janury 24.