PNGFA NATIONAL CUP CHALLENGE BEGINS TODAY

The Papua new Guinea Football Association academy is abuzz with players and officials of teams from all around the country for the 2006 PNGFA National Cup Championship Tournament.

Participating teams have came from Enga (men/women), Goroka (men), NBPOL (men), Chimbu (women), LFA (men/women), Finschafen (men), PMSA (men/women) and Madang (women).

The first men's match of the tournament kick started at 13:15 hours between LFA and Finschafen in a round robin system.

In the opening women's fixtures, Enga defeated Chimbu 1-0 and Madang defeated LFA 2-0.

Most of the teams are residing outside the academy while only two teams stay in the academy. Most of the teams arrived today at the academy and went straight into play their matches according to the draws.

The match commissioner, Mr. John Gringo Mandarip said there will be a total of 25 matches played using the round robin draw system which will allow each team to play each other in both the men's and women's pools.

The top four teams will play the semi finals and the winners will go for the finals while losers play for third and fourth place.

"We expect there to be problems with so many matches scheduled in a short period of time but we're hopeful we can run a tight schedule to allow for this, said Mr. Mandarip.

The match Commissioner said PNGFA is running this tournament with a budget of more than thirty thousand kina.

Coca-Cola Amatil (PNG) Ltd has supported PNGFA by donating 44 soft drinks cartons to be distributed to the 11 participating teams LOC.

The Finals will be play on Sunday after semi-finals on Saturday.

RANGERS FC scooped back to back titles in the Solbrew Women's league and Knockout competitions respectively.

The Matai Vave coached side was impressive performances culminated in deservedly securing both titles for 2006 season.

Rangers prevailed over Marist in the Women's Grand Final match thanks to a 5-3 win in a dramatic penalty shoot-out.

Rangers won the league proper earlier this month when they beat Junior Flamingo 4-0 in the grand final and were eager to secure the knockout title as well.

Their match with Marist started off slowly with both teams wary of each other. However, Marist settled down quickly and was moving the ball around swiftly in search of goals.

But possession did not turn into goals and it was Rangers that drew first blood when their goalkeeper, Regina Kosui, sensationally scored to give her team an early lead.

As the match wore on, Marist stepped up their attack and was duly rewarded when their mobile striker Betty Maenu saw an advancing Rangers goalkeeper coming off her line to strike home the equalizer.

Locked 1-all at halftime, both teams came back more determined. Marist seized the opportunity and was rewarded when Betty Maenu thumped home their second goal.

Complacency robbed Marist of a seemingly likely win in regulation time after they led for a longer period in the second half.

Rangers' determination grew as the match wore on and they capitalized on a Marist defensive blunder to score the equalizer and forced the match into extra time.

None of the teams was able to score in extra time forcing it to go into penalty shootout to decide the winner.

A piece of brilliance by Rangers custodian who stopped two shots set the scene for their double victory.

REGINA Kosui was the toast of her side's win over Marist in the grand final of the women's knockout competition on Wednesday at Lawson Tama.

She made two brilliant saves to eliminate Marist after both teams tied 2-all in their match.

An experienced goal keeper, Regina also won the "goalkeeper of the tournament" award during the presentation of prizes.

Winning women's soccer teams received medals besides cash prizes and trophies they won in the Solbrew Women's league and knockout competition.

The medals were awarded to the three top teams in the Women's knockout competition besides cash prizes they won.

Rangers' was awarded gold and $2,000 for coming first, Marist (silver medal & $1,000 cash) and Junior Flamingo (bronze medal & $800 cash). KOSSA secured $500 for coming fourth.

In the Solbrew league, Rangers won the trophy and $4,000 cash while Junior Flamingo, Marist and Las United won the other three prizes respectively. Flamingo got away with $3,000, Marist ($2,000) and Las United ($1,000).

Consolation prizes were for golden boot, Fairplay, best and fairest player and best goalkeeper.

Mary Dongai (Koloale FC) and Layda Samani (Junior Flamingo) scored 13 goals apiece in the competition and were rewarded duly.

Las United won the fairplay award, while best and fairest award was won by Marist's Betty Maenu. Rangers' goalkeeper Regina Kosui received the "best goalkeepers" award.

Soccer2 retained the New Zealand National League Women's title following a 3-1 victory over Capital Soccer at the weekend.

Marlies Oostdam set Soccer2 on their way with a 9th minute penalty. Second half goals from Kirsty Yallop and Zoe Thompson negated a second-half own goal and were enough to ensure another Soccer2 title party.

Soccer2 retain New Zealand National League Women's Title

Sky Television will provide television coverage of the FIFA Club World Cup 2006 for New Zealand audiences as Auckland City take on Al-Ahly of Egypt in their opening competition fixture on December 10th.

Auckland City's final NZFC fixture before departing for Japan ended in a 2-2 draw as Youngheart Manawatu pushed the defending champions all the way. Al-Ahly's final preparation match ended in a 5-1 victory over Olympic Saturday, a win that put Al-Ahly at the top of their domestic championship.

Sky TV's full coverage of the FIFA Club World Cup is as follows:

Date: Sun 10 Dec 2006 23:00PM

Duration: 150 Minutes

Channel: SKY Sport 1

Synopsis: Join SKY Sport as we bring you LIVE coverage of the 2006 FIFA Club World Cup from Japan as Auckland City FC plays the Egyptian Giants - Al Ahly from the Toyota Stadium in Toyota.

Date: Mon 11 Dec 2006 22:00PM

Duration: 120 Minutes

Channel: SKY Sport 3

Synopsis: Join SKY Sport as we bring you coverage of the 2006 FIFA Club World Cup from Japan with a full replay of Auckland City FC taking on the Egyptian Giants Al Ahly from the Toyota Stadium in Toyota.

Date: Wed 13 Dec 2006 23:00PM

Duration: 150 Minutes

Channel: SKY Sport 1

Synopsis: From the National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan comes LIVE coverage of the first semi-final in the 2006 FIFA Club World Cup as the winner of match one takes on Brazilian club Sport Club Internacional.

Date: Thu 14 Dec 2006 08:00AM

Duration: 120 Minutes

Channel: SKY Sport 3

Synopsis: From the National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan comes a full replay of the first semi-final in the 2006 FIFA Club World Cup as the winner of match one takes on Brazilian club Sport Club Internacional.

Date: Thu 14 Dec 2006 23:15PM

Duration: 135 Minutes

Channel: SKY Sport 1

Synopsis: SKY's coverage of the FIFA Club World Cup continues as we cross to the International Stadium in Yokohama for LIVE match action of the second semi-final between the winner of match two and FC Barcelona

Date: Fri 15 Dec 2006 06:00AM

Duration: 120 Minutes

Channel: SKY Sport 3

Synopsis: SKY's coverage of the FIFA Club World Cup continues as we cross to the International Stadium in Yokohama for a full replay of the second semi-final between the winner of match two and FC Barcelona

Date: Fri 15 Dec 2006 23:00PM

Duration: 150 Minutes

Channel: SKY Sport 1

Synopsis: Join SKY as we bring you LIVE coverage of the fifth place playoff from the 2006 FIFA Club World Cup as the losers of match one and match two square off from the National Stadium in Tokyo. Teams TBA

Date: Sat 16 Dec 2006 10:00AM

Duration: 120 Minutes

Channel: SKY Sport 2

Synopsis: Join SKY Sport as we bring you a replay of the fifth place playoff from the 2006 FIFA Club World Cup as the losers of match one and match two square off from the National Stadium in Tokyo. Teams TBA.

Date: Sun 17 Dec 2006 23:00PM

Duration: 180 Minutes

Channel: SKY Sport 1

Synopsis: Join SKY for LIVE coverage of the final from the 2006 FIFA Club World Cup held in Japan, as the winners of matches three and four go head to head from the International Stadium in Yokohama. Teams TBA.

Date: Tue 19 Dec 2006 11:00AM

Duration: 150 Minutes

Channel: SKY Sport 2

Synopsis: Join SKY for a full replay of the final from the 2006 FIFA Club World Cup held in Japan, as the winners of matches three and four go head to head from the International Stadium in Yokohama. Teams TBA.

Date: Thu 21 Dec 2006 07:30AM

Duration: 150 Minutes

Channel: SKY Sport 3

Synopsis: Join SKY for a full replay of the final from the 2006 FIFA Club World Cup held in Japan, as the winners of matches three and four go head to head from the International Stadium in Yokohama. Teams TBA.