NSL champions win opener in Lae

Sports

By LARRY ANDREW
REIGNING National Soccer League champions Toti City FC won their opening round match, beating Besta PNG United FC 3-2 on Saturday at Lae’s Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium.
Over in Madang, the home side, with the support of the home crowd, came from behind to win the match 3-1 against visitors FC Morobe Wawens.
In Lae, the SIK Stadium was filled with supporters of United and City as they cheered for the teams. Among crowds was PNGFA vice-president John Wesley Gonjuan, who kicked off the opening round of NSL.
Also present to witness the game was a keen soccer supporter and a former Huon Gulf MP Tukape Masani.
The match saw City’s Obert Bika beating his United opponent’s to score the 2018 NSL season’s first goal in just 34 seconds into the match.
However, the goal did not stop United’s player’s spirit as they fought back strongly in attack.
City, finding themselves cornered i by the United attack and defensive play, found relief at the 11th minute when Goropaul Albert scored the second goal from near the halfway line. The highlander’s sailed the ball past United’s goalkeeper Graham Berigami to give City a 2-0 advantage.
City let their guard down after the goal when referee Ken penalised Valentine Nelson for a handball inside the penalty box. Barthy Kerobin found himself face to face with goalkeeper Ronald Warisan and kicked the ball to the left corner for his side to trail 1-2 inside the 36th minute mark.
A minute later United’s Ernest Gwetep ran in unmarked to equalise the score 2-2 with three minutes remaining before halftime break.
City, ignited by the coach Peter Gunemba’s halftime talk, surged ahead with a header from Nigel Dabinyaba in the 49th minute from corner kick taken by Raymond Gunemba.
With Dabinyaba’s goal the tempo of the game increased with both teams matching in every department from attacking football to defensive football but time ran out on Besta and City held on the a 3-2 buffer to full time.
Man of the match was Besta United’s goalkeeper Berigami who stole the show with his moves to save as many goals as possible. He was also the crowd’s favorite.
Results: City 3 (Obert Bika, Goropaul Albert, Nigel Dabinyaba); United 2 (Barthy Kerobin, Ernest Gwetep).