Mt Hagen,Kimbe set – The National

By PATRICIA KEAMO
THE National Soccer League Highlands and New Guinea Islands central conferences kick off round one tomorrow in Mt Hagen and Kimbe respectively following a two-week delay.
Papua New Guinea Football Association competition director Ahmjad Tekwie said the delay in commencing the games was due to ground preparations in Mt Hagen and venue negotiations in Kimbe.
Tekwie said the Kimininga Police Barracks Oval in Mt Hagen and Kimbe’s Muthuvel Stadium were now ready for round one while the Southern, Northern and NGI eastern conferences would head into round three tomorrow in Port Moresby, Lae and Buka.
The Highlands’ opening fixture will see visitors Wapak from Enga take on hosts Hagen at 11am before Kuri and Radza from Markham, Morobe clash in the midday fixture. The match of the day will be played between Goroka and Ape Aporo from Kutubu, Southern Highlands.
Meanwhile in Kimbe, Seeds United will challenge Tavur – who competed last season in the Southern conference – in the morning fixture. In the second fixture of the triple header, Green Gold from the New Britain Palm Oil Ltd soccer association and Laheri of Kimbe soccer association will go head to head at 1pm.
The main fixture at 3pm will feature West Tribe and Kimbe Eagles.
The Highlands and NGI central conferences will play midweek matches after their second round fixtures next weekend.
“The midweek matches are to cater for the two-week delay for both conferences,” Tekwie told The National yesterday.
“This would allow them to be in sync with the other three conferences by the conclusion of the first round.”
Fixtures – Sat, Oct 15, Hagen v Wapak, Kuri v Radza, Goroka v Ape Aporo (Highlands), Seeds United v Tavur, Green Gold v Laheri, West Tribe v Kimbe Eagles (NGI central), Hekari United v Genesis, Gulf Komara v NCD Souths, Central Amoana v NCD (Southern), Morobe Wawens v Lae Natives, Lae City Dwellers v Lahi, Tusbab Stallions v Lae City (Northern), Panguna Metals v Bougainville United, Laden Sankamap v North Bougainville, Wantoks v Kiara (NGI eastern).