Tusbab eyeing Vitiaz scalp

By ROBINSON LEKA
THE Tusbab Stallions face an uphill battle against second-placed Vitiaz United in round 13 of the Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League at Papua New Guinea Football Stadium in Port Moresby tomorrow (1pm kick-off).
The visiting Stallions, coming off a 1-2 loss to Morobe United on Saturday, are two spots behind Vitiaz in fourth.
Stallions patron Conrad Wadunah told The National yesterday that the Madang side were eager to register their sixth win of the season following the inclusion of former Kutubu skipper Samuel Kini.
“We need to win this match to maintain our top-four spot,” he said.
“Vitiaz are a strong team and it will be a tough challenge for us.”
Vitiaz, under skipper Eliud Fugre, moved up a spot to second after Matthew David netted a hat-trick to give his side a 3-0 win over the Morobe Wawens.
Vitiaz’s Yagi Yasasa and Johnathan Allan are expected to make the most of their chances in the forwards.
Hekari United will look to bounce back from Saturday’s 0-1 loss to defending champions Lae City when they host Kutubu in the main match of Port Moresby’s triple-header (3pm kick-off).
Hekari’s Papua New Guinea international Raymond Gunemba and Nigel Dabinyaba will be aiming for a better outing after being kept quiet by City.
Hekari manager Vonnie Kapi Natto is remaining optimistic of their title ambitions with six games of the regular season remaining.
Meanwhile, Gulf Komara will be counting on home advantage against Morobe United.
The Lae double-header will see Wawens face Star Mountain and City host Bougainville at Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium tomorrow.
Fixtures: Sat, Aug 22 – Morobe Wawens v Star Mountain, Gulf Komara v Morobe United, Lae City v Bougainville, Vitiaz United v Tusbab Stallions, Hekari United v Kutubu.