Playoff spots on offer

By LARRY ANDREW
WITH two rounds remaining in the Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League Northern Conference, the top-four spots are up for grabs.
Leading the conference are Toti City followed by Morobe United, Besta Papua New Guinea United and Laiwaden.
Madang teams Laiwaden and Tusbab Stallions will host Toti City and Besta PNG United respectively at Laiwaden Oval tomorrow.
At Lae’s Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium, Morobe Wawens play Lahi United (12.30pm kick-off) and Morobe United lock horn with Markham (3pm).
Wawens and Lahi, who picked up their games very well in the second round, will sweat it out in the first game of the double-header in Lae.
The Lae Biscuit Company-sponsored Lahi played Wawens in a washout match on Wednesday, with both sides settling for a 2-2 draw.
Tomorrow’s encounter is expected to produce a different result as both sides battle for spots in the playoffs.
Lahi coach Geoffrey Gideon told The National that despite being newcomers in the competition, the team’s aim was to make the top four.
“Our goal is to qualify and be in the top four of the NSL Northern Conference,” he said.
“We have set our goals. We’re taking one game at a time. So far, we’ve been successful in many areas.
“Unfortunately, we did not force a draw with City last weekend, which was our aim.
“We know there are other issues that can let us down but we are on track now. We’ve sorted ourselves out.
“We’d like to thank our sponsors for supporting us.”
Gideon said they were hoping to give Wawens a good run for their money.
“My players are picking up. Playing as a team takes a while to click and we started late but my believe in themselves,” he said.
“If we all have a good game and enjoy it, the result will take care of itself. We want to leave a legacy behind for our late chairman (Geob Gariki) who had done a lot for us and it’s only proper that we pick up from where he left off.”
Fixtures: Morobe Wawens v Lahi United, Markham v Morobe United, Tusbab Stallions v Besta PNG United, Laiwaden v Toti City.