2018 PNG National Soccer League Season kicks off

The 2018 National Soccer League (NSL) season kicked off successfully in Lae and Madang with Toti City FC and Madang FC winning their opening games.

In Lae, Toti City FC and Besta PNG United FC were tied at 2-all into half-time, but Toti FC Came back stronger in the second half to win the game 3-2.

Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) senior Vice President John Wesley Gonjuan the compettion kicks off another hectic year for soccer in the country.

Despite the scorching heat in Lae City, a good number fo supporters turned out at the Sir Ignatius Kilage stadium in Lae for the NSL opener.

Defending NSL champions Toti City FC (formerly Lae City Dwellers FC) took on a younger Besta outfit featuring players form the PNG Under 17 squad.

Both teams put on an entertaining performance with Toti City’s Obert Bika scoring the opening goal under the first minute of the game. Toti’s Goropol Albert scored the second through a long kick from the centre field.

Besta returned with a free kick in the goal mouth and later scored the equaliser just before halftime.

Toti City coach Peter Gunemba says his side is taking these games seriously as they prepare for the 2018 OFC Champions League.

"This game was the best because they (Besta FC) stretched us all to the full-time and we managed to score the winning goal' says Gunemba.

Gunemba also congratualated Besta FC who put up a strong performance against the champions.

"I really would like to congratualte the Besta boys for their fine effort against us. This will help us to assess ourselves to see where our strenghts and weaknesses are."

Besta Coach Harrison Kamake says his team played according to game plan and was impressed with his players who defended well for against a strong team.

PNGFA Senior Vice President John Wesley Gonjuan says the opening games went well in Lae and Madang, however Port Moresby games will be played as washout matches.

At the Laiwaden oval, hosts Madang FC came from behind to defeat FC Morobe Wawens 2 goal to 1.

NSL will continue this weekend with FC Momase taking on Besta PNG United in Port Moresby, Toti City FC to host Buang FC in Lae and Madang FC to play Southern Strikers at the Laiwaden oval in Madang.

NBC Sports I Sylvester Gawi