Vitiaz United’s Allen takes NSL golden boot award

VITIAZ United’s Jonathan Allen bagged the Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League’s golden boot award on Saturday after the 20-year-old striker scored 12 goals this season.
Allen, who started the season with Port Moresby-based Bougainville, was among five recruits to join Vitiaz during the league’s second window transfer in April.
“I’m thankful and for this award, we didn’t win the final but we are all happy with what we have done,” he said.
“It’s been a tough season for us (Vitiaz) since we have our families that live outside in centres like Lae and Madang but everyone has been really supportive of us.
“Most of the boys here are from Lae, I’m one of the few ones to come out from Madang to play and it was only the blessing of our God that we’ve come this far.
“When I came to Bougainville, I was still getting the hang of semi-professional football but after I left and joined Vitiaz, my game really improved.
“I know and play with most of the guys in the team so it wasn’t new to me.
“Yagi Yasasa and I know each other’s combinations because we’ve travelled and played together in the junior national teams (Under-17).”
Allen said rookies Vitiaz had learned a lot and that they were eager to start preparing for next season.
“These are all my brothers I’m playing with so I want to go back again and get myself prepared so we can come back stronger next season,” he said.