The men’s side, led by capable skipper Michel Foster, earned a 3-1 victory over arch-rivals Koupa from Kaparoko Village to claim the victory.
Koupa were favourites going into the final after dowining National Capital District Public Servants Soccer Association (NCDPSSA) 3-2. International striker Kema Jack put in the hard yards up front along with the experience of Naime Kepi, David Kila and Papua New Guinea goalkeeper Leslie Kalai at the back but it wasn’t enough to keep the youthful PMSA side at bay.
The Port Moresby side put away two first half goals through Tommy Sammy and Vanya Malagian while Koupa were kept in the match through Kepi.
Unfortunately Koupa’s experience was no match for the PMSA defence as Richard Pono, Roland Bala, Kialou Pouru and Rhody Mago kept things tight to deny the Koupu strike-force.
A second goal for Tommy Sammy sealed the win for PMSA – though both sides will go on to the Besta Cup play-offs with the other regional winners in Law from November 14-16.
In the women’s final a goal to plucky Papua New Guinea international Sandra Birum in extra time allowed PMSA to swipe a 1-0 victory over a spirited Tabubil.
Birum was in a class of her own over the four day tournament and continued to play quality football right up until the final whistle despite the field being heavily affected by the wet conditions.
Those conditions seemed to favour the rural Star Mountain side who were able to mark out the tournament’s top goal scorer Fatima Rama, preventing her from adding to her ten-goal tally.
Rama’s frustration at being locked out of the match eventually came to a head when referee Albert Maru handed the striker a red-card for an intentional foul on Tabubil’s Rachael Mike who had to leave the field injured.
Being reduced to ten players only served to fire-up the Port Moresby side as Birum and fellow international Dorcus Sesevo increased their activity up front.
Tabubil also continued to press for a winner as Josephine Joe increased her output attempting to score from virtually any position in the PMSA half.
With time ticking down quickly, the four-day tournament appeared to take its toll on both sides.
But it was PMSA who eventually managed to edge ahead thanks to a direct free-kick awarded to them during extra-time.
Birum lofted in her shot from outside the 18-yard box, sealing the victory for the Port Moresby side in the sixth minute of extra time.
For more on Papua New Guinea football go to www.pngfootball.com.pg

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