Lae schoolboys win U-17 soccer crown

Normal, Sports
Source:

The National – Wednesday 05th October, 2011

By GABRIEL LAHOC
LAE Schoolboys are the U-17 champions after defeating Lae Football Association 4-2 in the schools soccer competition at the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium.
The win also complemented their unbeaten run in the soccer competition and something to celebrate.
The game watched by PNG Football Association general secretary Dimirit Mileng, was a display of fair play promoted by FIFA, with both sides showing individual talent and displaying quality skills.
The game was forced into extra time after the scores were tied 1-1 after regulation time.
However, with the scores unchanged, the match had to be decided on penalty shoot-out. 
The schoolboys scored their four attempts to LFA’s two to seal victory.
Lae schoolboys team manager Dickson Sali said the game plan over the weeklong camp was to play basic football, concentrating on defensive play.
Even the penalty shootout was an important area covered in the training last week.
“We planned to win during our one week camp, especially after our girls lost to Lahi, and we did,” Sali said.
He also thanked participating schools, parents, Nestle and Paul Nalo for assisting the team and the competition.
The competition, which started in 2009, aims to develop the code and improve the characters of students.
It is also used as a tool to create unity among players from different schools and discourage the culture of school fights.
The programme also provides the opportunity to excel in their football career and Sali is happy to see three players making it to the PNG Football Association soccer academy as a pathway to the National Soccer League.
One of the players Jepet Tiambo made it to the Besta United U-20 side last year.