It is the Lae-based outfit’s second title triumph in as many seasons and underlines their status as the most influential force on the women’s scene in Papua New Guinea.
The quality of the game was affected by a morning downpour that left the pitch waterlogged, making passing and free-flowing play difficult. It was therefore no surprise that neither side could find the net in the opening half and the match remained very much in the balance when the players trudged out for the second spell.
It wasn’t long after the restart that a break through finally arrived though, Bara being awarded a penalty within minutes of the action kicking off again.
International defender Linah Honeakii – who helped Papua New Guinea win the first stage of Oceania qualifying for the 2012 London Olympics in Tonga earlier this month – shouldered the responsibility of the spot kick and chipped a well-judged effort past goalkeeper Teri Lasin.
The goal sparked wild celebrations from the Bara fans – starved of anything to cheer about in the first half – and kickstarted the hosts’ performance as Bara begun to up the tempo. Visitors Mungkas failed to control the ball as well as Bara on the drenched surface but did manage to mount several attacks.
Strikers Fatima Rama and Rumona Morris, also members of the Olympic squad, both failed to make the most of chances for Mungkas, as did Lydia Banabas and Lois Demgor.
Led by Zeen Limbai, another to have starred in Tonga, Bara continued to thrive in the wet and made the game safe in the final quarter. As the clock ticked down, winger Ellin Taito threaded the ball past a pair of defenders and goalkeeper Lasin to make it 2-0 and send Mungkas back to Port Moresby with nothing.
Bara also won the inaugural Women’s National Soccer League last season and are now well placed to complete a hat-trick in the next campaign.
The match was part of a busy period for several players from both sides as they are in the Papua New Guinea squad set to take on New Zealand’s Football Ferns in Whangarei on Saturday. The clash is the first of a two-legged play-off that acts as the final stage of qualifying for the Olympics with the winner going on to represent Oceania at London 2012.
The second leg will take place in Port Moresby on April 4.
For more on Papua New Guinea football go to www.pngfootball.com.pg

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