Triumphant City commend Morobe United

By EHEYUC SESERU
Morobe United were described as a strong team despite losing 4-1 to Toti City in Lae on Saturday.
The Morobeans put up a good fight before going down to defending champions Toti City in home-and-away semifinal series of the Kumul Petroleum Holdings National Soccer League competition at Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium.
City coach Peter Gunemba praised United for putting up being strong and competitive throughout the season.
He said City had a lot of respect their opponents.
“Morobe United have some very good players,” Gunemba said.
“They are the team who we were been looking forward to play in grand final.
“But unfortunately, the draw was changed that we had to play each other.”
“This game was like a grand final.”
However, Gunemba said the Southern Conference also had some good teams and they were looking forward to play the undefeated Hekari United in the June 1 grand final in Port Moresby.
“We are the champion club since we first entered the semi-professional soccer competition as a Lae-based team,” he said.
“We have made three grand-final appearances and were successful in all of them.
“We didn’t play the grand final last year but were declared minor premiers, and went on to represent the country this year in Oceania Football Confederation Champions’ League.”
The champions won with two goals each to Nigel Dabinyaba and Michael Foster.
The match was evenly contested in first half, with a lot of pressure from both teams.
United’s Alex Kamen scored the first goal in the 21st minute.
After eight minutes, Dabinyaba replied with City’s first goal.
Then in the 44th minute, Foster scored City’s second goal.
City led 2-1 at the break.
The duo scored their second goals after the break to seal the match.