Young Kapuls keep finals hopes alive

Young Kapuls celebrate after scoring in their game against Samoa *(Supplied-OFC media)*

Papua New Guinea kept alive their hopes of a semi-final place in the OFC Men’s Under-19 Championship with a highly entertaining 4-2 victory over host nation Samoa in Apia yesterday.

The hosts were first to score through Isiah Afamasaga in the 17th minute but the visitors fought back to equalize the take the lead at half time with goals from Albhan Rani in the 39th minute and David Tita in the 44th minute.

Despite the lead at the break, the hosts came out firing in the second stanza with an equalizer by Lomitusi Scanlan in the 47 minute.

However, moments later the raucous home crowd were silenced again when
PNG Midfield maestro Nalau Moses found Harrison Ima with a reverse pass and the left-sided forward steered home a stunning finish.

The Young Kapuls posing for a photo before their game against Samoa *(Supplied-OFC media)*

When Moses then burst clear of the Samoan defence in the 55th minute to slide home the fourth goal, PNG took command of the contest.   The only dampener on proceedings for PNG was the dismissal of Rani in stoppage time, given his marching orders after receiving a second yellow card.

PNG will now face New Caledonia in their last pool match on Monday and a win will see them through to the semi finals.

Moses was awarded the Player of the Match.

“The game against Samoa was tough but the boys put in the effort and we got the win,” Moses said in Tokpisin when interviewed by OFC Media.

“The next game against New Caledonia is important and we will have to train hard and get the win.”