Poro-Bara clash crucial for Poro’s claim to top spot

NORTHERN Conference leaders Poro have the chance to cement top spot when they play Bara at the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium tomorrow.
A victory will see the Papuan Compound club all but recognised as the best of the Northern teams in the Women’s National Soccer League.
Poro are undefeated after the first half of the competition and the round 12 fixture will be seen by coach Troy Gunemba as a good test of their championship qualities against a quality opposition that has rode a poor stretch form.
The other matches will see Rainy Lae face off against Markham Raings in the opening fixture followed by Sepik’s clash with Eastern Highlands side Pacific Gardens.
The Poro-Bara affair is the penultimate match with Morobe Tulips and Tusbab Laidamon closing out proceedings. Bara’s loss to Laidamon in Madang in round eight sparked a poor run with the Edna Thomas-coached side struggling to regain the form and promise they showed in the early rounds with unconvincing showings against Sepik, Rainy Lae and Morobe Tulips.
Bara’s midfield will be key as they have the responsibility of unleashing their promising frontline.
If the midfield can keep the ball in their possession for longer stretches they will stand a chance against the high flying Poro.
Poro on the other hand will not be taking Bara lightly and should be wary of their foes whom they dispatched earlier in the season.
Gunemba said his side had aimed for a top two finish at the start of the season and they were on their way to achieving that and a victory tomorrow would reinforce a dominant season in the Northern Conference.
“Winning this weekend’s game, the remaining two games should not be an issue,” he said.
“Our preparation this week has been really good and we expect a strong game from Bara.
“With the clean sweep in the first round games, we want to maintain that and achieve the goal that we have set to achieve.”