PRK Wantoks win MRDC Sevens soccer cup

PRK Wantok recruits Desmond Waluka and Pita Bulaitonga proved to be a valuable buy for the club after they helped their team win the MRDC-sponsored National Sevens Soccer Cup played over the weekend at PNG Public Institute of Administration Soccer Oval.
Wantoks beat CMSS Tigers 2-1 in the penalty shoot-out after the teams drew at regular time and also in the golden rule play-off time as well which forced both teams to the penalty shoot-out.
Wantoks managed to score through Benjamin Mela and Pita Bulatonga while the Tigers only managed one goal through Frank Tulem while Raymond Gunemba’s and Ken Gule’s shots were saved by goalkeeper Waluka.
Wantoks walked away with MRDC Trophy and K15,000 while Tigers settled for K5,000 plus trophy runners-up prices.
The third and fourth place play-offs also went down to the wire until fatigue crawled into the game which resulted in Hekari United winning the match 2-nil.
United picked up K2,500 while Simla which was sponsored by Bayson Transit Home walked away with K1,000.
Gunemba, who missed the penalty, was the lucky person in the end to pick up the Golden Boot Award of K1,000 while Bulaitonga surprised all by collecting K500 for the Player of the Tournament award.
Literally unknown NCD school soccer representative team won the Fair Play Trophy Award for the well-behaved and disciplined team during the two-day tournament.
In the semi finals, Tigers beat Hekari 1-0 while PRK Wantok beat Simla on the same scoreline for the grand final showdown.
PNGFA senior vice-president John Kapi Natto and tournament director Andrew Lepani was happy with the participation, especially from three teams coming from Mt Hagen (Blue Kumuls), Lae (Cosmos) and Madang (Souths).
Mr Kapi Natto said PNGFA had recognised the tournament which would become part of the PNGFA calendar.