PMSA sticks with league format to lift competition

By ROBINSON LEKA
THE Port Moresby Soccer Association (PMSA) competition will continue without a playoff format as teams jostle for placings throughout the season, says general secretary Paul Karambi.
“Last year, we tried out the league system where we don’t have to play any finals,” he said.
“The objective behind this approach is to encourage teams to be competitive in all of their matches.
“We’ll be compiling a review at the end of this season and we will put forward a report for the PMSA executives to decide whether to continue with the league system or bring back the finals so that clubs can look forward to it after the normal season.
“This is something that we are still trialling and seeing how it can best suit our competition.”
Karambi said PMSA would look to complete its season in the next four weeks.
Meanwhile, Karambi is pleased with the level of competition so far this season, saying teams have improved from previous seasons.
“There are obviously some big changes in competition unlike what we have seen last year and 2017,” he said.
“With the top teams before, there was a huge gap in points after each weekend.
“But this year, that gap has been narrowed because everyone is fighting to be on top.
“There are some players in to the competition who have some Besta Cup and National Soccer League experience.
“Those players are adding value to their respective clubs and that’s why the competition has picked up this year.”