PS United claim title

By LARRY ANDREW
TWO second-half goals saw PS United beat Yamaki 2-1 in the Lahi Soccer Association men’s A-League grand final at Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium in Lae yesterday.
In the women’s division the Gerard and Rose Obi-coached Prima Power outfit claimed their 19th title with a 3-0 win over Lae 11.
The men’s grand final went down to the wire as United and Yamaki battled for line honours.
Yamaki, consisting of youths from Bumbu, fielded a couple of Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League players.
They drew first blood after United were ruled to have handled the ball inside the penalty area.
Yamaki captain Rodney Joseph had no problem in slotting the ball past United’s goalkeeper.
With the game been played 30 minutes each way, minor premiers Yamaki took control of the game.
United, from Biwat compound, maintained their composure to deny Yamaki from more scoring opportunities.
They mounted a comeback with interchange Kenneth Fuan scoring the equaliser in the 52nd minute, much to the delight of their supporters.
With Fuan’s goal inspiring United, the game intensified in the dying stages.
Yamaki conceded a penalty outside the box a minute from fulltime.
United captain Bradley Sombaim took the penalty and sent the ball past Yamaki defence and into the net to give his side their maiden title.
They were promoted to the A-League in 2015.
United sponsor Felix Kandek told The National that the first half did not go well and they had to make changes.
“After making the changes, I had confidence in my players to pull off the win,” he said.
“In the last four years, we made it into the top-eight but couldn’t finish on a high note but this year, we made it.
“It’s very hard to secure sponsorship and as a fatherly figure in the Biwat community, I tried my best to dig deep into my own pocket to sponsor the team and this is our maiden title.”