PNG Prime Minister X1 Men Soccer team wonder boy Nigel Dabinyaba scored from the penalty to help PNG secure the first spot in the MSG Prime Minister Cup grand final on Friday.
Dabinyaba was rushed into the side after sorting his passport to join the team only yesterday made his presence felt in the game when he combined well with national team playing partner Raymond Gunemba scored the only goal of the First Semi Final match. In fact, Mr Gunemba was fouled in the box and the referee without hesitation pointed for the penalty.
In the second semifinals between Solomon Islands and Vanuatu Development Team, the match went down to the wire when both teams drew 1-1 the regulation time. Both teams completed the extra time with no goals found and they went into the penalty shoot-out which host Vanuatu won 5-4.
PNG will now meet Vanuatu Development team in the final while Solomon Island will play Fiji in the minor placing play-off on Friday.
Coach Harrison Kamake gave credit to the boys for playing smart football to win the match. He applauded Raymond Gunemba for playing a good skipper role which also earned him the Man of the Match in this match.
“Raymond played a leading role despite replaced in the dying minutes of the second half. He combined well with Nigel, Pala Paul until replaced and Kolu Kepo upfront but the midfielders the major role in setting the pace of the game. In defence, the midfielders cut down Fiji star player Roy Krishna who had little room to find the opportunity to score,” he said.
Skipper Raymond Gunemba said his boys played well every time in these matches during the MSG Cup. “We are improving every game and that is something we have done and will go on to play Vanuatu Development Team on Friday. We beat them 2-1 in a scrapy match in the opening round but we will come better this time.”
Source: PNG Football Association