Stars stay positive

EASTERN Stars FC are expecting to continue their winning run when they clash with Besta (PNG) United in the Telikom National Soccer League challenge at the Lloyd Robson Oval in Port Moresby tomorrow.
After a morale-boosting 3-0 win over newcomers, Petro Souths at the National Sports Institute in Goroka last Saturday, Stars are relishing for another victory to keep pace with the reigning premiers Hekari United who are currently on 12 points followed by Tukoko University five, Madang Fox four, Eastern Stars four, Petro Souths three, Besta PNG two and Gigira Laitepo Morobe one.
If their form of late is any indication of better things to come, Stars have nothing less than the ultimate goal of making the finals this season after missing out by a point last year.
That should be motivation enough to drive them through to the finals this season.
They have strengthened their backline with the inclusion of Cyril Muta, Tagaia Lepani, Jeremy Yasasa and Timothy Joe who are likely to feature prominently.
Besta United should not be written off because they have already proven to be a side to be reckoned with after holding Hekari United to a 2-2 draw at half time before letting the reigning premiers get the better of them to win 4-2.
The PNG national U23 side should keep their heads high after making their seniors look quite ordinary with their ball work, skills and talent but lacked complacency and experience which were the telling factors.
Similar reasons could be attributed to the youngsters’ loss to Gigira Laitepo Morobe Kumuls 3-2 in Lae last Saturday after leading at one stage only to give the victory away to their opponents.
Besta United coach Max Foster said yesterday that they would taking the game as another normal game.
Foster said he had a good side with a few players from last season and couple of inexperienced ones.
“The boys are still learning but we will not be taking the game lightly. Every team we are playing is the best game for us and our biggest problem is complacency.
“We need to maintain the pace.
“We tend to relax after scoring and I have been working with the boys on our defence,” he  said.
Besta striker Nigel Dabinyaba, midfielder Emmanuel Simon, who had a wonderful season last year, lofty Vanya Malagian, Tweedy Inia and Michael Keith should lead their side against the home side.  
In the local derby, Morobe Kumuls, coming off a 3-2 victory to register their first win, face an uphill battle against Tukoko University while Petro Souths are on bye and the match between Hekari United and Madang Fox has been deferred.