Both Lae and Morobe Football Clubs were visitors to Bisini Soccer Park, with local hosts Admiralty and Oro Football Club taking on their opponents with relatively little knowledge about the opposition.
With League leaders Hekari out against Besta, Morobe FC failed to take advantage and were held to a 2-2 draw, while Lae were looking to stake their claim as heavyweights.
Oro were heading into the match, without Captain Gari Moka, and Keeper Richard Lapan on the bench, substitute David Huaka would be sorely tested.
An early slip by defender Cambell Misirait allowed Lae’s Clement Peka an opening.
It was one nil within two minutes. Lae took off from there.
Oro struggled to match Lae, who were Imposing their physical dominance over their POM-based rivals.
Oro’s left flank was kept busy, Charles Paranda offering the much needed spark, but high crosses and poor finishing meant Lae keeper, Ronald Warisa was barely troubled.
Normally quiet, Oro’s Assistant coach, Mathew Witu, was constantly barking instructions.
Oro began to slow their tempo, to suit their style but losing possession of the ball was not helping their cause.
The second half pep talk changed their attitude
Both Lae and Oro were looking to bounce back after respective losses and Lae with their best efforts managed to dominate the first half.
But while Oro were putting passes together, it was Lae who were attacking straight through the center.
That was not the only instance, Moses Kamaken missing a sitter in the six yards box.
Substitute Ronald Ram, increased the pace as both teams began to suffer from fatigue.
In the previous match, Oro dominated late, but with time running out, lone striker Michael Lohai, though fighting hard could not find enough space on the edges.
Lae won the game one- nil.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=XfbqBjQoZkA%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
