Stars aiming to finish on high note

Eastern Stars coach Anthony Pakakota says his team are focused on finishing the season well in the Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League Southern Conference.
Fourth-placed Eastern Stars need to beat Bougainville — who are third — and hope Star Mountain upset Port Moresby United tomorrow, if they are to make stage two of the semi-professional competition.
Only two teams will proceed to the second stage, with conference leaders Hekari United already securing one spot.
“We started our season on a slow note, and we are focused on finishing off the season well,” Pakakota told The National yesterday.
“We can only focus on our game and leave the outcomes of the other final matches to destiny.”
Eastern Stars have the second best attack in the conference, and Pakakota will need his forwards to be in their element if they are to come away with maximum points against David Passam’s men.
“It is a team effort, and we all work together to deliver the goals,” Pakakota said.
“Yes, we are the second best attacking team in the competition and that has come off the back of very cohesive team support and play that facilitates the opportunity for the forwards, midfielders and defenders to score.
“And that cohesive support as seen Tau Winnie benefiting the most, and scoring most of our goals.
“It also has positioned Winnie as the leading goalscorer in the Southern Conference with 17 goals, if I am not mistaken.
“Despite being the leading goalscorer, I am disappointed that Winnie was not considered for the PNG Kapuls training squad for the Pacific Games, considering the fact that he has a strike rate of over 90 per cent, and averaging 1.5 goals per game this season.
“We can only continue to focus on improving the playing style that our club philosophy stipulates for us, that is cohesive attacking football.
“I call on the Milne Bay community to come out in numbers to support their team, Eastern Stars, in a final match with Bougainville.
“It will be an electric match that promises a lot of soccer entertainment for the soccer-loving community of Milne Bay and the National Capital District.”
Meanwhile, in the Northern Conference, Tusbab Stallions looking to play their final match against Markham in honour of Laiwaden goalkeeper late Mikes Gewa.
Stallions patron Conrad Wadunah said Laiwaden and Tusbab were “good friends on and off the field”, as there were only two Madang clubs in the competition.
“The passing of Mikes Gewa has really not settled well yet with many of the players,” Wadunah said yesterday.
“Preparation for the Stallions have also been affected.
“Travel plans for today were postponed to tomorrow to allow the players to receive the body/casket of the late Gewa and pay their last respects.
“When the players were at the haus krai last night to give their contributions, the club agreed that they would play the game in honour of Mikes.”
Fixtures: Southern Conference – Southern Strikers v Central United, Star Mountain v Port Moresby United, Gulf Komara v Hekari United, Bougainville vs Eastern Stars; Northern Conference – Markham v Tusbab Stallions, Lahi v Besta PNG United, Toti City v Morobe Wawens; NGI Conference – Gazelle v West Tribe, Chebu AROB v Green Gold.