by Jeremy Mogi – EM TV, Lae
Team Morobe’s womens team have qualified for the semi finals after defeating Simbu 1-0 in a less-than-convincing performance at the Lae Football Association grounds.
Despite the final outcome, the home side were booed by the very vocal crowd, while they struggled on field to secure a win.
Simbu, who entered the field looking to qualify for a higher placing, were very much the underdogs. Although unfazed by their rivals, they showed promise of better things to come for the team.
The young Morobeans appeared overawed by the occasion and performed poorly throughout. A dubious penalty awarded late in the match sealed the match for the home side.
In other women’s quarter results, East Sepik beat Enga 3-0 to advance and as tipped-to-win by many, team Manus men’s thrashed East New Britain 5-1.
In other men’s quarter-final matches, team New Ireland failed to level score, leaving Milne Bay with the only goal in the second half to seal the match and advance into the semi-finals.
In the quarter finals tomorrow, East Sepik goes up against a West New Britain side, who have had their coach and one of their players suspended for the remainder of the tournament.
The biggest match up will be between hosts Morobe and Madang – both sides are young with huge prospects for the future and the game and it is expected to be a fiery encounter.
Morobe have had a draw along the way while Madang are giving in with a one hundred percent record and a clean sheet.
