PNG’s Lae City Dwellers have opened their first OFC Champions League campaign with a thrilling 5-2 win over Vanuatu’s Malampa Revivors.
Dwellers coach, Peter Gunemba, said he was quite pleased with his team’s performance and is looking forward to their second match against Auckland City next week.
Lae City Dwellers were on attacking mode right from kick-off, pushing into Malampa Revivors half, through running forwards Obert Bika and Peter Dabinyaba Jnr .
The quick counter-attack from Dwellers in the first eight minutes of the game resulted in skipper, Raymond Gunemba opening the scoring with a superb strike from a through ball past a charging Naruel Maliu.
Revivors however responded with numerous runs into Dwellers territory, stretching Dwellers’ defence and keeping Goal Keeper, Ronald Warison on high alert.
Lae City soon responded as Peter Dabinyaba Jnr capitalised on Revivors weak defence charging past Ismael Sam and firing home his sides second goal.
The celebrations would be short lived as Revivors narrowed the gap in the 45th minute when Ronald Warisan knocked the ball into his own goal after attempting to save a corner from John Alick.
Dwellers would regroup in the second half with continuous charge down by Gunemba and George Debenham proving menacing for the opponent’s defence.
Debenham’s effort was rewarded by a cross from Raymond Gunemba minutes into the second half.
Denbenham was on assisting role again sending Obert Bika through to extend Dwellers lead.
A miscued clearance by the Lae City Dwellers backline saw Revivors Edwin Bai keeping his side in contention.
But that goal would be too little too late for the OFC debutants as Lae City Dwellers stamped their authority, adding two more goals to seal the match with a three goal advantage.
