Maclaren address slump

 By HENRY MORABANG

ALL eyes will be on Maclaren as they face Mungkas in the main game of the Port Moresby Soccer Super League clash on Sunday at Bisini Soccer ground.

The Popondetta team returned to PMSA competition with a big bang but their performance in recent weeks has left much to be desired. 

Maclaren coach Lua Vagi admitted that his team slipping down the ladder due to an attitude problem and a lack of discipline from some of his key players. 

“We have been working over the problem during the training and strategy sessions to drum this into our senior players to start lifting their performance or make way for young players,” he said. 

The team has recruited some of the best National Soccer League talent in Fabian Bagi, Basil Jofari, Danny Banabas and Toru Simoi but they have yet to make an impact in the competition.

Vagi said he hoped to register a positive result against Mungkas.

The Makerupu man said he was impressed with his young goalkeeper David Auka, who managed to make several saves against Momase last weekend. 

The front-line combination of Banabas and Simoi is one partnership Vagi says will be key to Maclaren’s chances.

Meanwhile, a tug of war is set to take place between the rivals as Mungkas coach Robert Sabadi is hoping Maclaren will release star recruit Cyril Muta who has opted to join the Bougainville side. 

National under-20 fullback, John Ray, formerly of Yamaros FC, is another acquisition for Mungkas.

Sabadi said his side would be competitve regardless of Muta and Ray’s presence but added that their inclusion would be a massive boost. 

In the other matches played on Sunday, PS Rutz to beat Hard Rock.

On Saturday, Blue Kumuls have a chance to upset Yamaros; Defence is capable of shooting down Rapatona while University will have an uphill battle against a fast-finishing Cosmos. 

The Ladder: Momase 17, Rapatona 17, Maclaren 16, Yamaros 15, Cosmos 13, University FC 13, Defence 12, Blue Kumuls 8, Mungkas 7, PS Ruts 6 and Hard Rock 4.