Team Manus wins gold at PNG Games
While in the men’s gold-medal play-off, Morobe finally got something to cheer about when they held off a fast finishing Manus through two sets of the challenge and the sudden death to eventually win 10-9.
Both sides were locked at 4-4 after normal time, with goals coming from Elaine Hebei-Malum (2), Maton Margaret and skipper Piwen Kanamon (Manus), Vanessa Perry (3) and Lyanne Bon.
Morobe put on a solid effort to come back from being down 4-2 to force the match into a deadlock in the last quarter.
The match was then to be decided on the challenge to decide the winner.
After both sides not giving anything away, it finally came down to a desperate save from Manus goalkeeper Mohe Moke and then her skipper Piwen Kanamon to hit the winner for a 9-8 scoreline to seal the sweet victory after a hectic four days of competition.
After the win Moke said she was confident and did not give Morobe skipper Caroline Molina room to score to pull out that all-important-save.
"I did not panic I didn’t have butterflies in my stomach... I knew I was going to deliver and I did," Moke added.
Morobe coach Peter Jacobs said the challenge was new for the players, especially the goalkeeper.
"It was more of a learning experience for her but at the end of the day Morobe continues to keep the true spirit of the game by showing good sportsmanship as always," he said.
Malum was also the top goal-scorer with 13 goals.
Morobe had to settle for silver. National Capital District won the bronze medal after beating Madang 5-1 to seal the women’s competition.
The men’s grand final match was a tightly contested affair with both Manus and Morobe trading goal for goal, but it was Morobe who managed to pip Manus to clinch the gold medal.
With all the pressure on and the light rain conditions not helping as well, Morobe goalkeeper Julius Raom pulled off the match winner to deny Manus’s Poline Michael to claim the victory.
Morobe’s Rex Loth was the top goal-scorer with 16. ONE PNG/Post courier
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