Morobe oust Mandang to grab final berth

Sports

DEFENDING champions, Morobe had an easy 4-1 win over Madang in the first semifinal of the women’s soccer competition at San Remo Sports Precinct in Kimbe yesterday.
Morobe started the game on a high note by leading 3-0 in the opening half. However, Madang regrouped and came back strongly in the second half to hold Morobe from piling on more points.
Morobe extended the lead by one more goal but Madang pulled one back in the dying minutes of the match.
Morobe coach Edna Thomas said after the match that she was happy with the win.
“We came here to defend the title and I am glad that we won the first semi-final and will wait for the winner of the second semi-final between AROB and West New Britain.”
The former Lae Football Association representative player gave credit to Madang for their fighting spirit from the first whistle to the end.
“Full credit must go to the players and the team management for their support to come this far,” she said.
“We will rest tomorrow and see who we play in the grand final on Friday,” Thomas said.
ENB booked the first grand final berth after defeating Manus 2-1. They will now wait for the winner of AROB and WNB.
Sport competition manager Simon Koima clarified that the PNG Games compliance committee overruled his decision to have quarter finals which was part of the reason for delaying the start of the competition.
The decision was relayed to the provinces and the semi-finals kicked off late yesterday afternoon. The second semi-final will be played today.
Koima and the local organising committee were caught off-guard yesterday as Madang and East Sepik staged a peaceful protest over the decision to cancel the quarter finals.
“I cannot comment further but will submit a full report to the PNG Games Council and the Host Organising Committee for their deliberation in future Games,” he said.