The Besta FA Cup tournament, played over three days, did not have the defending champions, the Port Moresby Soccer Association (men and women), but still saw seven teams, Madang, Kimbe and Kainantu in the women’s pool while Lae, Madang, Manus, Goroka and Higaturu competed in the men’s division.
In the women’s final, Madang just edged Kimbe 3-2 in extra time after being locked at 2-2 at the end of normal time.
For the men’s final, favourites LFA were matched by the Chaukas as the game see-sawed from the opening whistle, Manus’ Richard Lote scored in the 23rd minute after some deft play by the Manus midfield.
Lae were sparked into action by the goal and pushed hard for the reply. Alex Kamen latched onto a pass to slot in the equaliser close to half-time.
In the second half with the supporters from both teams chanting, the momentum of the match seemed to sway with every drive.
Manus kept their structure to pry open Lae’s defence twice more in the 47th and 59th minutes courtesy of Shane Sakael to extend their tally to 3-1.
The Manusians went into defensive mode after their last goal on the instruction of their coach, Peter Sakael.
Lae’s strike weapon Kamen once again wove his magic in the 79th minute to drag his side to within a point of drawing even.
But the Manus defensive wall proved inpenetrable over the final ten minutes as the team from the country’s northern reaches landed the coveted silverware.
The Besta FA Cup finals were held from 2-4 October in Lae.
For more on Papua New Guinea football go to www.pngfootball.com.pg

Share