Rangers, Mioks in do-or-die clash

THE heat is on this Sunday in the bemobile Cup as the remaining four teams in the finals battle towards a grand final place.
The showdown in Port Moresby pits competition favourites NGIP Agmark Gurias against dark horses Bintangor Lahanis, while Masta Mak Rangers look to continue their roll against Engan flagship and Cup hopefuls Toyota Mioks in Lae.
Gurias coach Michael Marum wants nothing but a victory this Sunday   over the Apos to secure a weekend off until the grand final on Oct 18.
But a win this weekend has come under heat with injuries to his PNG Prime Minister XIII’s representatives, captain George Moni, Larsen Marape,  Rodney Pora and slick five-eighth Dion Aiye, all under injury clouds and rated half chances of making it on to the field this Sunday.
According to Marum, this players would be undergoing final fitness tests  today for inclusion in the final 17 to play the preliminary final.
The Lahanis  welcome the return of their PM’s XIII duo of Glen Nami and Sigfreid Gande adding another boost their pack with quality support to captain and prop  Nigel Hukula.
Meanwhile, it will be a sudden-death encounter in Lae as Masta Mak Rangers aim to continue their solid form with a win over Engan flagship, Mioks, who have two wins over the Rangers this season.
Rangers  franchise owner Kelly Aiyok told The National yesterday that finals football produced great intensity and his side had played the finals style intensity in their last two outings defeating minor premiers Gurias in the regular season and reigning premiers SBS Muruks last week in Mt Hagen.
“We stopped the defending premiers (SBS Muruks) last week so we know we can make the grand final and that’s our goal,” Aiyok said .
The Rangers welcome the return of top guns in Benjamin Tomben, Simong Young, Nickson Kolo and Ham Tee, from injury, giving the star studded capital city franchise a full strength side.
 But, the Mioks should not be written off as the return of hard man Kerry Tapako from national duties and the form of backline general Mai Tom have the Engans ready to make amends after last week’s loss to the Lahanis in week one of the bemobile Cup play-offs.