Huawei hold off Erema, anticipate top season

 By HENRY MORABANG

HUAWEI PS United is looking forward to complete their inaugural season in the Telikom National Soccer League on a high note following their well-deserved 2-0 win over a depleted Erema outfit at Bisini on Sunday.

Captain Michael Lohai said he was happy with the win, which was a long-time coming for the supporters and players.

The former international, who supported young Roger Saking on the backline, said the team had been working hard to win, and this was the result of the rigid training the team had undertaken in the last four months of the semi-professional soccer league.

“We did not start the season well, with players and coaching team trying to find combinations, but hopefully this team will carry us through in the remaining three games,” Lohai said.

He gave credit to Erema for putting a great come-back fight in the second half but the United defence was too good, preventing them from finding the net.

United, using the wind to their advantage, continued to mount pressure on the Erema defence to score two goals in the opening half.

The Lohai-skippered team found the net in the 21st minute when Iamo “Plesman” Makena beat the defenders to slot in the opening goal.

Erema had the opportunity to equalise but could not find the target. 

United came back strongly to bombard the defence, resulting in a hand-ball and the consequent spot kick to Eric Komeng, extending the lead to 2-0 at the break. 

In the second half, it was the opposite, with Erema using the wind behind their backs to take control of the match. 

But their finishing was bad, with striker Gari Moka and Mathew Gita struggling against the Huawei defence.

Star player Tau Winnie had a fair share of the opportunities but could not find the back of the net.

The Huawei-sponsored team had several chances to add extras but Erema defenders Trevor Ire, Bofeng Garambini, Peter Kavera and local Kerema product Ivan Peter had to work overtime to deny them from scoring. 

The win moves Huawei PS to fourth spot in the conference.  

In the other matches played on Saturday, Hekari  beat Rapatona 2-1, while Port Moresby defeated Gigira Laitepo 1-0. 

Southern Conference standings: Hekari 21, Admiralty 10, Port Moresby 10, Erema 7, Huawei 7, Gigira 5.