NSL ready to roll

 By FRANCIS RODNEY PULU

 THE regular season draw for 2015-16 National Soccer League was released yesterday in Port Moresby. 

Competition manager Simon Koima said the NSL had purposely held back on starting the competition to follow FIFA regulations on International Transfer Certificate (ITC) which came into effect yesterday and would run until November 17.

He said the ITC period is a window for transfers to be made from one franchise to another but with most 12 teams already set with permanent rosters for the new season Koima said the clubs were now souly focused on plotting their campaigns and getting ready for the kick-off on November 21.

Koima said the NSL held back releasing the draws in order to finalise the verification process in terms of registration payments and the submission of other requirements such as full squad lists, coaching staff qualifications and secured home grounds.

“Now that the draw is out I’m appealing to the teams to submit their master lists by Thursday or Friday if they are satisfied with their recruitment and preparations,” Koima said. 

According to the standard master list each franchise are allowed to submit a maximum of 35 players to be used during the season.

The NSL is divided in two conferences – the Southern and Northern – with a 10-week regular season progressing onto the National Champions League stage which comprises a round robin stage of matches between the top three sides from each conference. 

Koima said the competition would play five rounds (Nov 19 to Dec 19) before taking a three week break during the Christmas and New Year period.

Round 6 starts on Jan 9 and will carry on until Round 10 on Feb 6. 

After that the second stage of the competition gets underway with the top three finishers from each conference playing each other over the next five weeks to decide the minor premiership as well as the next best three sides for the semifinal stage.

The launching of the new season is set for Tuesday (Nov 17) where the uniforms will be unveiled. 

Rd 1 Fixtures: Southern Conference: 3pm-Bisini 1 PKA Rapatona vs Erema; 3pm-Bisini 2 FC POM vs PS Huawei; 3pm-Bisini 3 Hekari vs Gigira; Northern Conference: 1pm-SIKS Besta vs Madang, 3pm-Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium Admiralty vs Welgris Morobe, 3pm-National Sports Institute Goroka vs Lae City Dwellers