MFA seal Mamose finals

By LARRY ANDREW
THE Morobe Football Association (MFA) men’s and women’s sides have been crowned champions of the Papua New Guinea Football Association-sanctioned Besta FA Cup Mamose leg.
In the women’s final, MFA beat Madang 2-1 on Monday. In the men’s final on Tuesday, MFA beat Markham’s Yaroos Naroons 5-2 in a penalty shootout to retain their title for the second time in a row.
The women’s final, which was kicked off by Bulolo MP Sam Basil, displayed exciting football.
MFA, last year’s runners-up, wasted no time to score their first goal through Christol Philip a minute into the game.
With the slippery surface, Madang used their speed and skills to equalize through striker Sagude Zale in the 21st minute.
But refusing to let their supporters down, MFA replied with a goal through Renata Samuel nine minutes later to take a 2-1 lead.
Madang dominated the second half with Christie Maneu, Bila Wani, Maree Rose Possi and Zale testing MFA’s defence, however, the youngsters could not find the net as their attempts were off target.
MFA put their bodies on the line to hang on for the win. Madang’s coach Rachel Wadunah told The National that her team were made of up young players. She said her aim of bringing the youngsters was to gain exposure and experience.
“Since we’re a young team, I said told them to have fun and soak in the exposure and experience,” Wadunah said. “But give us another two to three years and we should be right up there amongst the best. I was surprised that we made it to the finals. To me, it’s an incredible achievement.”