Mungkas, Keleiruna clash

By ISAAC LIRI
SOME may call it a village-versus-town contest when defending champions Mungkas FC take on Keleiruna FC in the Port Moresby Soccer Association’s Premier League at the Bisini soccer grounds tomorrow.
With both sides undefeated, the clash will determine who sit at the top of the ladder as the race for the inaugural league heats up.
PMSA competition manager Paul Karambi described the clash as a thriller, with a good turn-out expected to see the competition’s form teams test their mettle.
“Both teams have quality,” Karambi said.
“Mungkas National Soccer League (NSL) experience and are the defending champions, so they will come out firing.
“For Keleiruna, they are talented village players who get the basics right. That’s why they’re successful.”
Mungkas will count on their defence to thwart the Central side’s enterprising brand of football.
“We know that defence is the key and we’ve been working to nullify there game,” Mungkas coach David Passam said.
“Defence is one area that we have been working on in recent weeks, so we’re expecting the clash to test the defensive structures we’ve worked on.
“Our PNG Kapuls representative Abel Redenut will be playing a key role for us at the back.”
Keleiruna coach Ivah Olemau said his players were wary of the defending champions.
“We will play our own brand of football,” Olemau said.
“We like to attack so we will throw everything at them.
“They are a quality side but if we can beat them, then that will be a bonus because most of my players are from the village.”
Meanwhile, NBCTV will screen the Premier League matches via delayed telecast.
Fixtures: Saturday – Momase FC v Cosmos FC (2.15pm), Keleiruna FC v Mungkas FC (4.15pm); Sunday – Maclaren FC v Cosmos FC (2.15pm), FC Genesis v University Inter FC (4.15pm).