Public Servants Soccer Association teams qualify for Cup

NationaL Capital District Public Servants Soccer Association (NCDPSSA) Black and NCDPSSA Gold have qualified for Besta FA Cup after wins over Kareko and Port Moresby Soccer Association (PMSA) One respectively in the semifinals of the Southern qualifier at Bisini Soccer Ground in Port Moresby yesterday.
In the first semifinal between NCDPSSA Black and Kareko, it was an intense and evenly contested match between two sides which finished in a 1-1 draw at the end of regular time.
In extra time, Kareko managed to score a goal in the first half.
NCDPSSA Black were too strong for their opponents, playing with the wind to score back-to-back goals from cross-field kicks to seal the match 3-2 and earn the right to represent the region.
The second semifinal was much more exhilarating with NCDPSSA Gold taking on a resilient PMSA One side.
NCDPSSA Gold scored first through a Palek Jason header from a cross-field kick.
PMSA One hit back minutes later with a powerful strike from Pulung Maslan.
The scores were level for the remainder of the match with both sides missing a number opportunities to score which led the game into extra time.
Both sides maintained the same intensity in extra time, throwing everything at each other but couldn’t find the net and then went into a penalty shootout.
Near misses and spectacular saves from the NCDPSSA Gold goalkeeper proved costly for PMSA One as they went down to their opponents 4-5.
The two winners, NCDPSSA Gold and NCDPSSA Black will now compete at the national club championship, Besta FA Cup, along with two winners each from Highlands, the New Guinea Islands and Mamose.
The Besta FA Cup is an annual event where each member associations and associate members pick their best team to battle it out for the ultimate prize.