Hockey starts on high

By LESLIE OMARO
MANUS men’s hoc­key team stunned 2009 runner-ups National Capital District (NCD) 2-1 to get their campaign off to a perfect start at the Kokopo Sports Grounds yesterday.
Goals from Michael Polaip in the first half and Chauka Manus after the break shocked NCD who were favoured to dismantle Manus.
NCD’s only goal came in the second half through a Mora Naron penalty flick but good defensive play by the islanders kept them at bay.
Manus coach Popei Polaiap was humbled by the win but said that was just the beginning of their campaign.
“We were building up for this game two weeks ago. We always played second fiddle to renowned teams like NCD and Morobe,” he said.
“Our focus now is to win every match and possibly disrupt their playing pattern.
“We tried our best in the last two PNG Games but managed to win bronze and missed out on any medal in 2005.
“We will try and maintain our team as much as possible and focus on our games ahead.”
NCD coach Thomas Molean said his boys were not shocked by the loss because Manus were the team to beat.
“We were not shocked at the result as Manus were favourites at the Games and we know they came prepared,” he said.
Meanwhile in the women’s hockey, expectations are high but Madang coach Victor Barg is not counting his chickens before they hatched.
Following his team’s first win over East New Britain yesterday, Barg is not pushing his luck.
“I expected the win today and I’m happy the women were able to get a good result,” he said.
Madang’s Dorren Samen and Michelle Kulong scored scored a goal each in a match that could have gone either way.
“I’m happy with the win and we can now focus on other games in this competition,” Barg said.
“We did not win any medals in the 2009 games so we are aiming to win a medal here and this kind of start is just what we needed.”
In an earlier match, defending champions NCD thrashed Manus 3-0 while the game between Morobe and Eastern Highlands was deferred to today as the highlanders haveyet to arrive in Kokopo.
Competition continues today at Kokopo Secondary School.