Poro frustrated with match officials during quarterfinals

By LARRY ANDREW
PORO have expressed concern over the handling of last weekend’s Women’s National Soccer League quarterfinal against Highlands Conference winners and hosts Mommers.
Mommers won 1-0 to advance to tomorrow’s semifinal against Northern Conference winners Bara at Papua New Guinea Football Stadium in Port Moresby.
Accepting the loss, Poro coach Troy Gunemba queried some of the rulings that were made at the Kimininga Police Barracks Oval in Mt Hagen.
“There was no control over substitutions,” he said.
Gunemba claimed that there was no security in place for the match.
“Also, the referee was using a wristwatch instead of a stopwatch.
“We are not doing this (expressing concerns) because we want it in Poro’s favor.
“We are doing this for the good of soccer in the country.
“We are all here to see football reach a higher level.”
Team captain Honarea Kaizam said she had queried the referee who had overturned her decision to award an equaliser to Raynata Samuel whose effort deflected in off the crossbar via an Anastasia Gunemba corner kick.
“The referee and linesman awarded the goal,” she said.
“But right after their call, the opposition goalkeeper collapsed and the referee had to attend to her.
“I approached the referee twice, but she told me to move away.
“She later came up with the decision that one our players had come in contact with the goalkeeper so the goal was disallowed.
“The game was called off in the 42nd minute.
“I approached the referee again and she didn’t say anything.”
Attempts to get a comment from PNG Football Association competitions coordinator Leo Jakanduo were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, Mommers and Lae Biscuit Company-sponsored Bara arrived at Jackson International Airport in Port Moresby yesterday for this weekend’s WNSL semifinal in Port Moresby.