Greenline Mariners hopeful of making EPC finals

By ERIC PIET
Greenline Mariners president Isalyn Som remains hopeful that three of her teams will advance to the Eastern Papua Carnival finals on Sunday.
She said the teams — two men’s and one women’s — had qualified for Saturday’s knockout stage.
For the women’s side, it is their first time to compete in the annual carnival.
“In last week’s game, our women’s team beat defending champions Maela 2-1 to qualify for the playoffs,” Som said.
“Maela scored first but we equalised through Shekaina Naime.
“The winner came from Aileen Rarata.”
Som said she was proud that two of the teams had topped their respective pools.
In the knockout stage, the first-placed Mariners women’s team will lock horns with Avis Keri in pool A.
Pool B will see the second-placed Milne Bay Spirit take on Soljen.
According to Som, in the men’s division, Mariners One go up against Samarai FC and Mariners Two face Simla Two. “I am happy that all my three teams have made it to the playoffs, but I will be happier if they make the finals,” Som said.
She said bringing the teams from Alotau to Port Moresby was a challenge.
“My husband and I appealed through the media for financial help to bring these teams over here but we received very little support,” Som said.
“But at the eleventh hour, we were relieved when all the three teams were registered for the tournament.
“Our hard work is paying off.
“They have made me proud by making the playoffs and I am keeping my fingers crossed for positive results.”