Poro ladies out to show pride

 By LARRY ANDREW

PASSION, commitment and determination to give a shot at the Ox & Palm Women’s National Soccer League title had kept Lae’s Panamex Softex Poro FC sleepless nights.

The women, from Papuan compound and in their second year of the competition, haven’t lost a match in the Lae leg of the competition.

With that good record, they are keen to give the ITI Northern Crusaders FC a run for their money in the grandfinal to be played at the Sir John Guise Stadium, Port Moresby tomorrow.

Poro will be carrying the flagship of Morobe’s soccer fraternity on their back to the nation’s capital.

Coach Peter Gunemba was confident in his girls who had grown from strength to strength in this semi-professional league.

Gunemba said: “We do not know how Crusaders play and it will be our first clash. But I’m confident in my young charges, the majority of whom are school girls, and their fast foot skills can control ball well.

He is banking on his strikers Pate Mikes, Meagan Gunemba and Zeena Limbai to lead in the front with the support from the midfielders Talita Irakau and Stephanie Gani. 

In the backs Poro’s Judith Gunemba, Dinah Dabinyaba and Yasap Ganu will be a shield for their goalkeeper Schola Kaizam.

Limbai, with her experience in the semi-professional football, will lead the young Poro side for their first attempt at the women’s title.

She will be supported by flankers Evon Gabon, Fayleen Henoingao, Lakele Simon, Eggar Teddy, and Junua Atia who would give some stiff challenges to the oppositions flankers, supported by their reserve players.

Gunemba said the team was balanced and the spirit in the camp was high to win the final and make Lae and Morobe soccer fraternity proud.