Genesis sink City, Poro win

The National Sports

By PATRICIA KEAMO
SKIPPER Yvonne Gabong netted a second-half winner to help Genesis beat Port Moresby City 2-1 in round two of the Women’s National Soccer League in Port Moresby on Saturday.
After 3-0 wins in the opening round, both Southern Conference teams got off to a strong start but City opened the scoring in the second half through Alisandra Elijah at Papua New Guinea Football Stadium.
Unfazed, Genesis regrouped and hit back through Rayleen Bauelua who beat City goalkeeper Fidelma Watpore for the equaliser before PNG international Gabong sealed the match with her fourth goal of the season.
Genesis coach Percy Mataio hailed City for giving his side a strong challenge which forced his charges to come from behind to snatch all three points.
“City came with a game plan and they wanted to win,” he said.
“But we figured out how we could compete with them and we were fortunate enough to get those late goals to win the game.”
The opening match of the Southern Conference triple header saw National Capital District (NCD) take an early lead against Hekari United through first-half goals from Bernardette Fai and Cynthia Bangita.
But NCD suffered an injury and a lapse in concentration which saw Hekari’s Wendy Paraya and leading golden boot contender Marie Kaipu score a goal each to force a draw.
Amoana failed to bounce back from their 1-13 defeat by Hekari as the Central side lost 1-2 to Port Moresby Academy.
Meanwhile, in Lae, Poro took a two-point lead in the Northern Conference standings after they beat Madang’s Tusbab Laidamon 2-1 at Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium.
Like Poro, Genesis have a two-point lead in the Southern Conference standings after two-straight wins.
Poro and Genesis are the only two sides with perfect starts after two rounds in the country’s premier football competition for women.
Results: Sat, Dec 12 – Hekari United 2, NCD 2, Port Moresby Academy 2, Amoana 1, Genesis 2, Port Moresby City 1, Pacific Gardens 2, Rainy Lae 0, Markham Raings 1, Morobe Tulip 1, Poro 2, Tusbab Laidamon 0, Bara 2, Sepik 1.