When the same two sides met in the previous season’s final it was the YFC Lions who took top honours, something the Wantoks were keen not to see repeated.
It was a memorable victory in more ways than one as player-coach Eric Komeng, who was out of on-field action due to injury, led from the side line.
Captain Daniel Joe was key to the victory, setting Koriak Upaiga up to knock in the game’s only goal.
It was a tense and torrid affair with neither side relenting in the fight for the title and both goalkeepers David Kavulio for Wantoks and Felix Belu for Lions recording strong showings between the posts.
Wantoks’ Roland Conn and Philidelphia Vela both missed easy chances to score while the Lions came close through Rube Kai as both sides showed their nerves on the day. With the score locked at 0-0 coming back from the break, the second period was set to come down to who could capitalise best on their opportunities.
The Lions took a long ball approach but Wantoks’ defenders Roger Kareva, Brian Tuhiana, Daniel Joe and Lole Wainama were up to the task. However it wasn’t until midway through the second half that the Wantoks did the business at the other end of the field with
Upaiga heading home a perfect delivery from Joe.
FC Wantoks club showed they are a club with strength in its depth as its sides topped the table in four of the five grades on the weekend’s grand final schedule.
The Wantoks’ women’s team and the men’s U-19 side defeated their respective YFC Lions opponents taking the championship with 2-0 and 2-1 victories. The girl’s U-15 side were crowned champions following their 2-1 win over Tarangau.
In other results the Lions were victorious in the men’s U-17 division with a 3-2 win enough to earn them the title ahead of Wantoks, while Morata Roots were awarded the girl’s U-15 title after Murat forfeited.
For more on Papua New Guinea football go to www.pngfootball.com.pg

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