Second spot in Southern conference up for grabs

 By HENRY MORABANG

THE second spot in the Southern conference of Telikom National Soccer League is still up for grabs.

The result over the weekend at Bisini Soccer Complex has forced the competition into a climax as the teams will be at their best in the final match next week to secure the spot.

Three contenders, FC Port Moresby who is the outright favourite, PKA Rapatona and Gigira Laitepo United complete are in for a three-way battle for the second spot.

FC Port Moresby must beat Erema FC to consolidate its position while PKA Rapatona and Gigira Laitepo will clash in the game of their life.

Hekari are confirmed for the top spot while the second spot is still up for grabs for the next three finishers. 

Leaders, Hekari will play Huawei United; a win or loss will not affect their position.

Over in the Northern conference, Lae City Dwellers and Welgris Morobe United are through to the two the finals. The Southern conference matches could have gone either way for all four teams.

The most exciting one was the game between a young Gigira Laitepo United outfit against veterans of the competition playing in Erema colours over the weekend.

As anticipated, the game could have gone either way as strikers of both teams were always going for the wrong options. 

Gigira Laitepo started off on a high note when Ian Yanum converted a penalty kick to put them in front. The David Passam-coached team had several opportunities to extend the lead but Erema’s defence was up to task to deny them from scoring.

The Joshua Neibo-led team went into the break with 1-0 lead.

In the second half, Erema returned with more zest and kept the ball in Gigira’s territory for longer periods but could not find the net.

Sensing the game was drifting away, Erema injected Michael Gita who made things even harder for the Gigira defence. Their consistency paid off with Erema leveling the score through what could be described as “hands of God goal” by Ivan Sevese from a good corner kick which was not seen by central referee John Maru.

In the early game, Huawei PS United spoilt the party for Rapatona when striker Iamo Maneka beat the defence to slam the equaliser 1-1.

Rapatona’s goal came from Peterson in the opening half when he beat the PS defence to slide the ball through.

Game 1 result: PKA Rapatona 1: Peterson Elijah 38, Huawei PS United 1; Iamo Maneka 44 (Half time 1-0 Rapatona)

Game 2 result: Gigira Laitepo United 1: Ian Yanum 10, Erema 1: Ivan Sevese 77 (Half time Gigira 1-0)