Tumbe ready to face minor premiers Tigers

By ELIAS LARI
WAGHI Tumbe are prepared to hit the ground running when they meet minor premiers Lae Tigers in Saturday’s Digicel Cup major semifinal despite having the luxury of a second chance.
After finishing second in the regular season, the Jiwaka government-sponsored team are aiming to go on better after missing out on last year’s grand final and settling for third spot. Tumbe will not be short of motivation after the Tigers beat them 34-26 in Lae during the regular season.
Club chairman Paul Tumun said most of his players were new to finals football but with their Jiwaka Governors Cup and the Coca-Cola Ipatas Cup experience, they were sure to give the Lae Biscuit Company-sponsored side a good run for their money.
The winners go through to the grand final while the losers face the victors of the Goroka Lahanis-Hela Wigmen match for one more crack at the big dance.
However, Tumbe will not be taking their semifinal lightly knowing that a win against the Tigers will put them in a great position to win the premiership.
“We are ready to lock horns with the Tigers,” Tumun said.
Tumun said head coach Francis Ray and the team management were aiming for the top prize.
“Waghi Tumbe are on a special mission this season,” he said.
Ray said the Tigers had been consistent over the past couple of years, with the Lae franchise being the benchmark team all season.
“We will be going into the match as underdogs,” he said.
“We finished third last year, missing out on a grand final spot and we don’t want to repeat the same mistake this time around.”
Ray thanked Governor Dr William Tongamp for backing the team over the last five years.
“Without his leadership, we wouldn’t have come this far,” he said.
Ray also praised Tumun’s efforts towards the team.
“Despite many challenges, we made it to the top-two and we are eager to be the best in this season,” he said.