Tamari backs mid-season recruits to boost Strikers campaign

PORT Moresby Strikers coach Philemon Tamari says the mid-season inclusion of Mathew David, Eaka Philemon and Ila Ilarova will boost their campaign for the remainder of the National Soccer League season.
Recruited earlier this month, the trio made their club debuts in last weekend’s round-nine match against Gulf Komara at Papua New Guinea Football Stadium in the nation’s capital.
Tamari said he was confident that they would contribute to the team’s successes and help the side retain a spot in the top-four.
“David was supposed to join us at the start of the season,” he said.
“But due to accommodation problems, we couldn’t get him over from Lae.
“It took us half of the season to finally get him over which is great.
“He will add a lot of firepower up front for us.
“He is a great striker so we are privileged to have him.
“We have (former Bougainville player) Philemon and Ilarova who have also joined us for the rest of half of the season.”
Tamari said Ilarova was one of their foundation academy players, so they were thrilled to have him in the roster.
“I think they are going to contribute a lot to the successes of our team for the rest of the season,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tamari said goalkeeper Ishmael Pole had recovered from an injury which he had sustained in their round-six match against Hekari United.
“Ishmael is fine but we’re just making sure that he doesn’t get injured again,” he said.
“When we feel that we need to change him, we’ll substitute him (with Ilarova) so the idea is for him to have some game time and remain cautious about re-injury.”
Pole is still undergoing rehabilitation to return to full fitness ahead of Saturday’s match against Star Mountain.