Vitiaz go level with defending champions

By PARKER TAMBUA
NEWCOMERS Vitiaz United are closing in on frontrunners Lae City and Hekari United after round nine of the Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League.
Vitiaz are genuine contenders for the minor premiership after they registered their seventh win of the season with a 1-0 victory against Morobe Wawens, thanks to a late goal by Joshua Talau.
Team manager Rogena Strach told The National from Lae yesterday that her side’s midfield had been their main strength so far this season.
She said their approach in their maiden season was to play simple football.
“We are not taking any games lightly regardless of the teams we face,” Strach said after their win at the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium on Saturday.
“Our backline is solid. Our midfielders have been great.
“They’ve gelled well and are able to read each other’s game and that has helped with how the game flows and most definitely the results.
“We’ve got a strong midfield and that has been the main factor in our results so far this season.”
Vitiaz’s victory sees them go level on points with defending champions Lae City, who played out a 1-1 draw with ladder leaders Hekari United in the main game of the Lae triple-header. However, City have a superior goal difference.
The other match was a scoreless draw between Tusbab and Morobe United. Hekari remain on top with 23 points, one ahead of City and Vitiaz. Strach said winning the title or minor premiership was possible but they were taking it one game at a time.