Star Mountain jump to sixth spot on ladder

STAR Mountain say they have turned their Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League season around after moving up two spots to sixth following their 3-1 win over Bougainville on Saturday.
The round-12 triumph — their third win of the season — saw Selan Elijah’s men leapfrog Bougainville and Morobe Wawens with six rounds of the regular season remaining.
Elijah said the turnaround came off the back of discipline.
“We have been disciplined with or without possession,” he said after the Papua New Guinea Football Stadium fixture in Port Moresby.
“We always try to make use of whatever possession we have.
“The inclusion of goalkeeper Junior Kaprangi and forward Tau Winnie made a difference in the line-up.
“Our younger players look up to them as experienced footballers.
“Our aim is not to finish at the bottom but in the middle of the table or better.”
Meanwhile, Wawens dropped a spot to seventh after their 0-3 loss to Vitiaz United, who are second on the ladder.
Coach Charlie Foike was disappointed with his side’s performance after their eighth loss of the season.
“We did not get the basics right,” he said. “We lost possession cheaply and mistimed our passes. We didn’t react when it mattered during the game. “But we’re still a good side so we’ll continue to improve on the basics at training before our next game.”
Wawens will be looking for their fifth win of the season when they host Star Mountain in round 13 at Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium in Lae on Saturday (11am kick-off).