This year’s season features a new division, U-11 Mix, which just two weeks in is already proving to be a hit amongst young players, parents and supporters.
In the Premier Men’s division Nikao Sokattak had been expected to make a strong start to the competition however a round one draw with Puaikura and a 1-0 loss to defending champions Tupapa Maraerenga means they have found themselves on the backfoot early.
Tupapa Maraerenga clinched the win over Sokattak in the last 20 minutes of play on Saturday when Terii Framhein latched onto an accurate ball from teammate Campbell Best to send the ball flying past the goalkeeper.
Sokattak midfielder Jonathan Rowe said his side is fairly new with just a few of last season’s players remaining meaning new combinations are still being forged.
“It’s still early in the season and we have some new faces in the team so training has been focused on developing combinations and a better understanding between players,” Rowe said.
“The intention is to improve individual and team performances week to week, so we will expect players to continue lifting their level.”
Another young side taking each game as it comes is the Tahiri Elikana captained Avatiu. Elikana is confident his team can play their own game throughout the competition even when encountering some seasoned opposition.
While on the whole the results being posted so far have been relatively standard, with teams keeping the score lines in line with what is expected from a football match, Puaikura have issued a strong challenge across a number of divisions as they chase the title.
The Men’s Premier team downed Matavera 13-1 on Saturday after scoring 11 unanswered goals against Titikakaveka in the previous round. While an incredibly one-sided affair saw the Men’s U-17 side notch a 36-0 win over Matavera’s U-17s during Saturday’s action following on from their 6-0 victory over Tikikaveka.
The 2013 National League features six separate divisions – Premier Men, Senior Women, U-17 Men, U-14 Boy’s, U-14 Girl’s and U-11 Mix – with six clubs participating in each.
For more on Cook Islands football go to www.cookislandsfootball.com

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