NCD out to settle a score

Sports

By PATRICIA KEAMO
Wira Wama-coached NCD side are aiming to settle a score with Erickson Komeng’s Hekari after their loss in the first round of the competition.
Meanwhile, coach Komeng said his side would be expecting a tough match at 3pm especially with his decision to bench his experienced players, including skipper Marie Kaipu.
“NCD are just a game away from us because of their loss against us (in round 1), so they will really want to win this time,” he told The National yesterday.
“It’s our attitude that will determine this weekend’s result.
“If we want to win this game then we must have the right attitude.
“My national players won’t be playing, but I’ll still have a team to compete and I’m sure they can go all the way.”
Komeng said he did not want to risk Kaipu, Sonia Embahe and Rumona Morris getting injured, so they would not be taking the field after their midweek clash.
After their 10-0 shutout of Amoana in round eight on Tuesday, Komeng praised prolific striker Calista Maneo who scored seven goals.
Maneo is one of the contenders for the golden boot award in the conference. “She has been working hard during training,” Komeng said.
“So if she gets the golden boot (award), she deserves it.”
The other conference fixtures will see Amoana face Souths Hinamo and Port Moresby Strikers will meet winless Bernice.
Meanwhile, the Papua New Guinea Football Association Education Centre at 11-mile outside Lae will host Northern Conference triple-headers for rounds nine and 10 tomorrow and Sunday. With the ongoing tension following a rampage in Mt Hagen earlier this week, it unsure whether the Highlands Conference matches will go ahead as scheduled for tomorrow and Sunday.
The National had attempted to reach the PNG Football Association for clarity around the matter, but no confirmation was forthcoming.
The New Guinea Islands Conference will be playing their round-nine fixtures at the Hutjena Oval before completing the final matches of the season on Wednesday.
Fixtures: Sat, May 14 – Souths Hinamo v Amoana, Bernice v Port Moresby Strikers, Hekari United v NCD (Southern), LFA Originals v Lahi Power, Rainy Lae v Bara, Tusbab Laidamon v Poro (Northern), Buka Atolls v Central Bougainville, Kiara v Hamatana, North Bougainville v South Bougainville (New Guinea Islands); Sun, May 15 – Bara v LFA Originals, Poro v Rainy Lae, Lahi v Tusbab Laidamon.