Kaipu shines as Wantoks prevail

PACIFIC Games gold medallist and Wantoks captain Marie Kaipu helped her side claim the title as the premier women’s football club in the country.
Kaipu, part of the Papua New Guinea team who won gold in Apia, Samoa, in July, displayed her strength in attack in the women’s final of the national club championships at the PNG Football Stadium on Sunday.
Kaipu scored the only goal of the match for Wantoks to defeat Lae’s Prima Power 1-0.
An evenly-matched encounter saw Wantoks looking to score early with Kaipu and Lynette Bito surging in attack for shots on goal but they were met with equal pressure in defence from Prima’s Joelyn Aimi and Agai Max.
Prima found their footing later in the match with Louvennah Karo and Martha Alphonse finding space inside their opponents half but they were unsuccessful in a goalless first half.
Prima struggled in the second half as fatigue kicked and with opportunities gorwing thin for the women from Lae.
Wantoks’ frontline made a break with Kaipu weaving through the Prima defence for a shot inside the penalty box to seal the match and the national championship.
Kaipu bagged the tournament’s golden boot award while teammate Shalom Waida was awarded the women’s player of the championship.