Gubag double helps Stallions sink B’ville

By NATHAN WOTI
Forward Stahl Gubag scored a double to help the visiting Tusbab Stallions beat Bouganville 2-1 in the Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League at the Papua New Guinea Football Stadium in Port Moresby on Saturday.
Gubag scored 25 minutes in off an assist by teammate Jason Wadunah.
Bougainville striker Jonathan Allan headed in from a free kick by captain Abel Redenut 30 minutes in but the goal was disallowed.
Stallions looked comfortable as they put Bougainville’s midfielders under more pressure, which resulted in numerous turn-overs.
A penalty against Bougainville 30m out gave Tusbab the opportunity to extend their lead.
A free kick by Malagian found Gubag who headed in for his second goal.
Bougainville came back strong in the second half with David Mosin replacing Greg Togubai.
Bouganville started to play wide and opened up the Stallions defence. Bougainville made a tired Stallions defence pay as substitute Basil Jofari scored off an assist by Allan to narrow the gap to 1-2.
Jofari nearly scored an equaliser off a corner kick by Danny Vetali, but the ball bounced of the woodwork.
Tusbab coach Rachel Wadunah told The National that it was her team’s “relaxed and composed” defensive strategy that won them the game.
“We talked about not being too quick in attack and always be composed in defence. I told my players not to rush up to players but let the opposition come to them and it worked,” she said.
“In the second half, we rushed a bit and that resulted in our midfielders and defenders feeling exhausted because they had to run back to recover or defend so I was disappointed.”
Bouganville coach David Passam said it was disappointing to record their second straight loss.
He told The National that his side would focus on their mental preparation.