Lae City face rivals Dwellers

By PATRICIA KEAMO
NORTHERN conference leaders City will face rivals Dwellers tomorrow in the second match of Lae’s round-nine triple-header at Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium.
The third-place Dwellers, headed by Peter Gunemba, came off a 2-1 win over rookies Northern Youth last week and will look to build on that success against Lae Biscuit Company-sponsored City.
City coach Bob Morris told The National yesterday that although they were eight points clear of Dwellers, his side were also mindful that Gunemba is leading a high-quality team.
“We are prepared to face any team,” he said.
“I treat every team with the same respect and approach.
“Dwellers are a reputable team, comprising some of the country’s best players and I am very mindful of my strategy going up against them.
“We are not counting on the first-round results.
“It is a new game and a new approach, but I am very steady and focused.
“This is the second round and teams are aiming to close in on us.”
Meanwhile, Gunemba said his side’s preparations had gone well except for yesterday’s training session which was interrupted by wet conditions in Lae.
“Dwellers are one of the pioneering teams (in the NSL), but most of our current players are new,” he said.
“The first half of the season was a trial-and-error approach because I saw that the final format suited me.
“I’ve assessed the team’s first-round performance and made some changes to our combinations.
“We will put the effort in every game and try not lose to the teams that defeated us in the first round.
“We want to win this game against City, but everyone wants to win so it depends on how we play.”
Gunemba said he had beefed up his roster with the inclusion of Star Mountain’s Michael Saun and others during the transfer window.
“The inclusion of Troy Gunemba and Kevin Yalu will boost Raymond (Gunemba) in the midfield and up front,” he said.”
Meanwhile, the other Lae matches will see Madang’s Tusbab Stallions facing Morobe Wawens (11am) and Sepik will battle Morobe United in the main fixture of the day.
Fixtures: Sat, Sept 25 — Tusbab Stallions v Morobe Wawens, Lae City Dwellers v Lae City, Sepik v Morobe United, Central Dabari v Star Mountain, Tavur v Hekari, Port Moresby Strikers v Gulf Komara. Northern Youth and Southern Youth are on a bye.