Port Moresby triumphs

 BETTER midfield coordination saw FC Port Moresby overpower the Lae City Dwellers 2-1 in the second round of matches in the National Soccer League at the Bomana Correctional Services Oval on Saturday. 

The game saw several yellow cards issued and Port Moresby’s Aryton Yagas sent off (red card) in a intense clash between the city teams.

In a match dominated by the home side, Port Moresby captain Cyril Muta’s side led 2-0 after the first half and held that lead until Dwellers scored through Obert Bita in the 80th minute.

With Lae supporters almost out-numbering Port Moresby fans, the atmosphere was tense.

The referee and his linesmen were kept under constant pressure from the players, coaching staff and the fans with each call or missed call scrutinised.

Man-of-the-match Lam Vincent of Port Moresby kept his head when tempers flared and the competitive rivalry between the cities was at its peak.

He took total control in the midfield, combining well with Neil Hans and university student Roland Conn.

The trio took advantage of a disjointed Lae midfield to dominate possession and territory, while the Dwellers were forced to defend for long periods.

Lae skipper Raymond Gunemba missed a chance in the first 10 minutes of the match but that proved the closest his side would come to threatening the home side’s goal in the first half.

Port Moresby struggled against the wind in the early stages of the first half but once they adjusted to the conditions, the home side took control of the match.

A 36th minute goal by striker Felix Bondeluk was ruled offside but the Reginald Davani-coached side were building up pressure nicely. 

A deft interchange of passes between Hans, Conn and Vincent saw Basil Jofari slam home the opening goal for a 1-0 lead in the first half.

Taking advantage of the wind, a Hans cross in the 49th minute  was fumbled by Bondeluk initially as Harry Hillary-Jenkins blasted his side’s second goal in the ensuing scramble.  The match started to heat up from that point. 

Lae, with the crowd behind them pushed hard for a goal and that resulted in several clashes.

The Dwellers efforts finally paid off with the Bita goal set up by mid-fielder Troy Gunemba.

Bita’s strike from 18m out was the goal of the match, leaving goalkeeper Charles Lepani flat-footed.

Lae continued their raids into Port Moresby territory and this saw the home side desperate to keep out the inevitable goal.

Match summary: Port Moresby 2 (Jofari 38, Jenkins 49) Lae City Dwellers 1(Obert Bita 80) at the Correctional Service Oval, Bomana, PortMoresby.