Poro thrash Rainy Lae

By LARRY ANDREW
SKIPPER Meagan Gunemba’s return helped Poro thrash Rainy Lae 9-1 in round five of the Women’s National Soccer League Northern Conference at 11-Mile outside the Morobe capital yesterday.
Gunemba was assisted by Raynata Samuel, Rakale Seka, Beatrice Simongi, Logi Jeferry and Keren Kalapai as they threatened Rainy Lae’s defence.
The Troy Gunemba-coached side piled five goals in the first half to give them the momentum to add another four goals in the second half.
Poro opened the scoring 16 minute in when Meagan’s corner kick deflected off a Rainy Lae player for Kalapai to set up Seka for the finish.
Poro’s midfield dominance saw Samuel produce a through ball for Kalapai to extend the reigning champions’ lead to 2-0.
But Rainy Lae responded through Sandra Birum who chipped the ball to McKelyn Hendingao for the finish from outside of the box to trail 1-2.
But the fightback was brief as Meagan added Poro’s third goal off a Kalapai corner kick.
Papuan Compound-based Poro added their fourth point through Kalapai before Samuel set up Seka for her second goal to extend the lead to 5-1.
The second half was all Poro as they piled on four more unanswered points, thanks to two more goals each by Meagan and Kalapai.
Rainy Lae coach Alex Kamen told The National that the result showed why Poro were the reigning conference champions.
“The spirit to fight back was not there,” he said. “The issue is our finishing.
“We need to improve in this area for our next round of matches.”