PMSA wraps up 2nd week of preseason

By PATRICIA KEAMO
PORT Moresby Soccer Association on Monday wrapped up week two of their preseason competition with the momentum picking up for the six-week long games.
Competition manager Joseph Ame said there were a total of 45 teams for both the men’s and women’s divisions.
“We have the season proper scheduled the week after pre-season finals so we’re hoping the pre-season will set the pace for that,” Ame told The National on Monday.
“So far the turnout has been well, the momentum has picked up well this weekend compared to the first week.
“As we progress into the third and fourth week of competition, we’re expecting to see a change in the pace of the game.”
Ame said from the 45 teams, 38 were men’s teams divided into four pools while seven were women’s teams.
“We have teams from last year that qualified for the premier division from division one, two of them are City Strikers and Solomon United,” said Ame.
“But for the pre-season, we have combined all of them, the lower division as well as the premier division to play together.
“Ten premier teams have been divided into the four pools to play against the lower division teams to give the opportunity to have that competition against premier teams.”
Ame said the first two weeks of pre-season was open for player movement between teams.
“That period ends this weekend so going forward, players will strictly remain in the teams that they are with now for the rest of the season,” he said.