Toti City, Morobe through

By LARRY ANDREW
Defending champions Toti City and Morobe United are through to the next stage of the Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League after securing the top two spots in the Northern Conference.
City and Morobe will take on the top two sides of the Highlands Conference – Kagua Erave and Blue Kumuls.
Toti City coach Peter Gunemba told The National that it was a relief to qualify for the second stage and that the club’s focus was on retaining the title.
Gunemba said the NSL format meant that their opponents would only get tougher as the season wore on.
“In the regular matches, when a team loses, it still had the chance to win and move up the points table,” Gunemba said.
“But in the second stage, teams will rise up to the occasions and we have to remain focused in achieving our goal of retaining the title.
“Our aim is to make it to the grandfinal and retain the title, and qualify for the (Oceania Football Confederation) Champions League.”
He said for the Southern Conference, Hekari had won all its matches in the regular season.
“We had a loss and a draw,” Gunemba said.
“That means any team can beat us because we are human beings. Therefore, we must be on the safe side to win all the games.
“I haven’t seen how good the Highlands teams are, what type of players have and the style of football they play.
“For the Northern Conference, City and Morobe United know each other’s game.
“Morobe are a good team. They can cause a surprises.
“I had the privilege of watching the Southern Conference games last weekend and it has given me a fair idea of how teams in Port Moresby are playing.
“But our focus is to make it to the top of the Northern and Highlands conferences.
“I believe we can be competitive against the Southern and New Guinea Islands finalists.”
Gunemba said City would come up with attacking strategies as the look to make the grand final again.
He said City would play like any other team who are aiming to make the grand final.