Genesis maintain spot

The National Sports

By PATRICIA KEAMO
SOUTHERN conference leaders Genesis maintained their top spot after defeating Port Moresby City 5-1 in the main match on Saturday at Papua New Guinea Football Stadium.
Genesis scored the opening goal with a corner kick by forward Rayleen Bauelua which set the pace for their 1-0 lead in the first half.
The team picked up momentum in the second half as skipper Yvonne Gabong’s strike hit the net seconds after the resumption, followed by a goal from Elizabeth Elijah and two scored by Rumona Morris. Genesis assistant coach Joe Willie said in the first half, they tried to adjust to the game plan and structure and came back united in the second half to seal the win.
“In the second half, we were prepared with the right attitude,” he said.
“We worked as a team (in the second half), delivered as a team and maintained our game structure and momentum.”
City put up a challenge in second half with a lot attempts on goal which saw Vellis Airo netting a goal towards the end of the game.
City coach Frederica Sakette said they were still struggling after losing four of their players. Meanwhile, the opening match saw Hekari United thrashing National Capital District (NCD) 9-1 with a hat-trick by skipper Marie Kaipu and goals from Mervis Singara, Bertha Yapi, Sonia Embahe, Georgina Kaikas, Wendy Paraya and Michelle Inga.
NCD’s Cynthia Bangita scored their only goal via a penalty kick in the second half.
Hekari coach Eric Komeng said he was impressed with his team’s performance against NCD whom they drew 2-2 in round one.
“We had a tough opponent,” he said.
“Credit to NCD, they played well against us.
“For any team that play against Hekari, it’s going to be a tough game for them.”
He said they worked hard all week so the results showed how good the girls were.
The second match of Port Moresby’s round seven triple-header saw an improved Amoana force a goalless draw with Port Moresby Academy.
Results: Sat, Feb 6 — Hekari United 9 National Capital District 1, Amoana 0 Port Moresby Academy 0, Genesi 5 Port Moresby City 1, Sepik 4 Tusbab Laidamon 0, Rainy Lae 0 Bara 1.