Poro crowned conference winners despite upset loss

By LARRY ANDREW
PORO were crowned Northern Conference winners despite losing 1-3 to runners-up Sepik in the final round of the Women’s National Soccer League (WNSL) at 11-Mile outside Lae on Saturday.
Poro fell short of a perfect season after winning all their matches prior to the round 14 fixture at the Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) Academy.
Poro striker Meagan Gunemba was named as the golden boot winner ahead of the Sepik’s Sharlyn Jagi, Bara’s Charlie Banzeck — who was also picked as the most valuable player — and teammate Daisy Takolu.
Other award recipients of the Northern Conference were Stephanie Gani (outstanding match official) and Markham Raings’ Philomina Joseph (golden glove).
Madang’s Tusbab Laidamon and Goroka’s Pacific Gardens were named as the winners of the fair play award.
WNSL committee member Christine Pakakota congratulated all the players for their performances all season.
“Without players, there would be no WNSL,” she told the Northern Conference teams.
“To your teams and sponsors, thank you for having belief in our young women by sponsoring them in the competition. The committee also acknowledges PNGFA, led by president John Kapi Natto, for believing that women have the potential by supporting the idea to start the competition. We also thank Fifa for providing funding for our competition to go ahead and also making sure the competition finishes successfully.”
Pakakota also acknowledged the WNSL’s official communications partner, bmobile, for supporting the competition.
“Congratulations to the top-two teams of the Northern Conference, you’ve done well,” she said of Poro and Sepik.