Stars take shine out of Besta’s best

By GABRIEL LAHOC
GIANT killers Besta PNG United failed to live up to expectations, losing to CPL Eastern Stars 1-0 in Lae’s Telikom National Soccer League encounter on Saturday.
The junior development franchise gave the visiting Stars a tough challenge before succumbing in the last two minutes when Kelly Jampu came off the bench to slot in the winner.
United goal keeper Ronald Warisam despite continuing with his cat-like saves throughout the match, was caught off guard when an attempt by Stars’ striker Karol Kakate saw the ball rebound from the cross bar in front of Jampu who scored.
The win at the conclusion of the first round for the Stars is their second after opening the season with a win, followed by two draws and a loss.
The match was a hard-fought battle with both clubs on par in attack and defence.
However the Besta boys showed signs of fatigue in the last quarter of the match, with several players succumbing to heavy knocks and tackles.
Stars’ local boys Michael Foster, Eliude Fugure and Pascal Wojem, were persistent in the frontal assault, while Besta’s defender Lee Wabing stood out complementing Sammy Hiob and Jamal Seeto at the front.
Winning coach Eddy Omokirio described the match as a “hard fought fight which was a matter of converting chances.” 
He said Besta had the momentum because of their feat in defeating the NSL and former O-League champions on their home turf in Port Moresby, and his boys went in prepared with a high regard of the junior footballers and their capabilities.
“Our ultimate objective was to beat them which took a lot of work.
“It’s not easy against the giant killers,” Omokirio said.
Overall the performance by Besta PNG, according to spectators, has improved dramatically under coach Bob Morris, which has seen the team gain respect.
Meanwhile the Stars spent the weekend in Lae and will take on bottom-placed NBS Tukoko Uni Lae in today’s scheduled match at the same venue.