Lae to host triple header

The National Sports

By LARRY ANDREW
LAE’S Sir Ignatius Kilage will host a Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League Northern Conference triple header with Toti City taking on Besta PNG United in the main game.
In Madang, Morobe United take on Tusbab Stallions in the only non-Lae fixture in the Northern Conference.
In the first game of the triple header Snax Lahi United face down Laiwaden FC which should be an exciting clash as both sides jostle for a spot in the top four.
Both sides fought out a goal-less draw in the first game of the season.
Lahi’s Tinge Emuka told The National that his team were aiming to put in a strong performance on the road and he expected tough reception from their Madang hosts.
Emuka said beating the Stallions in Madang would be a great boost for the morale and give them momentum for the rest of the season.
“We’ll stick to our game plan and maintain the team’s progress in the conference,” Emuka said.
The second game of the triple header will be another entertaining fixture with Markham FC taking on an improving FC Morobe Wawens.
The Hans Gewabing-coached Markham are a good side that needs to improve their finishing to be a genuine conference threat.
The Wawens drew with Morobe drew United 2-2 last week and will need to be defensively alert against a wily Markham side.
With several new faces in the team, Wawens are hoping to force their way into the conference top four. The top-of-the-table clash will between Toti and Besta is expected to be a big draw for Lae football fans with the Under-23 Lae Academy side expected to push the defending champions.
The last time the sides met Toti City came back from being 2-0 down to snatch a 3-2 win in a thriller.
City, who are coming off their Oceania Football Conference Champions League loss to Auckland City last week, will want to forget that disappointment with a win over the U23 side but will not find the going easy.
For Besta United, the Allen brothers, Abraham and Jonathan, are expected to feature prominently for the PNGFA Academy side but their defence will be key.