Papua New Guinea’s National Soccer League eighth round ended on a high note for three of the Lae-based sides of Lae City Dwellers, Morobe Wawens and Besta PNG United as each recorded victories at the weekend.
In the double-header at Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium OFC Champions League quarter finalists Lae City Dwellers won a strongly contested match against Southern Strikers 3-0, while Besta PNG United beat Madang 2-0.
In Port Moresby, Morobe Wawens survived a tough encounter against FC Momase to win 1-0.
It means Lae City Dwellers retain their place at the top of the National Soccer League standings followed by Madang, with Morobe Wawens sitting in third.
Morobe Wawen’s match against Momase was evenly contested in every department but Wawens had the edge in terms of coordination in the midfield which proved the difference.
Michael Saun was the man in the middle for Wawens, controlling the pace and directing play with every touch of the ball, with support from Elliot Foni and Moses Kamakeng.
The opening half could have gone either way however, with both teams putting their all into attack and the two goalkeepers Enoch Maki of Momase and Jason Bandi for Wawens keeping the match deadlocked.
Wawens came out with greater desire in the second half causing all sorts of trouble for the Momase defence.
The honour of breaking the deadlock fell to midfielder Kamakeng whose strike in the 53rd minute ending up the match winner.
Morobe Wawens coach Peter Seski said the result was good for his side.
“One goal is enough to keep us still in the race against Toti City (Lae City Dwellers) and Madang,” Seski said.