Sami made this comment after his Hides Gas Development Company (HGDC) sponsored team held pre-match favourites, Hekari United to a 2-2 draw at the PNGIPA Oval on Saturday.
The match marked the end of the first round fixtures in the Telikom National Soccer League. Paisa said his side surprised him with their determination, singling out Max Sengum and Kiwo Tepo who were played out of position but put in whole-hearted efforts.
Sengum, normally a midfielder, had the unenviable task of marking Hekari flanker Tutizama Tanito while Tepo, a striker, found himself at fullback.
“We had to reshuffle the team because some of our regulars were dropped due to discipline problem but it paid off,” Sami said.
Morobe captain Jamal Seeto, who stood in for suspended Valentine Nelson, scored a goal and led by example. Seeto had help from partner Cooper Ipako.
The match between the competition’s leading sides was hotly contested from both sides when Hekari’s Solomon Islands import Nicholas Muri found the net after a cross from compatriot Tanito for the first goal of the afternoon.
Seeto, with an assist from Ipako, headed in the equaliser from Morobe’s reply. The game seesawed for a while until Hekari’s Niel Hans put Tanito into open space on the left flank and the speedy Solomon Islander proceeded to blast home one of the goals of the year. The curving 25-metre strike left goalkeeper David Kali at full stretch but nowhere near the ball. Hekari led 2-1.
Despite trailing with most of the second half in front of them Morobe’s tenacity was plain for all to see and Hekari needed to blunt the visitors enthusiasm.
Hamson Topio took his chance when he sliced through Hekari’s defence to leave the home fans stunned and the scores levelled at 2-2.
The Madang whippet could have put his side ahead minutes later if not for the Hekari goalkeeper Leslie Kalai who took the bumps and bruises to keep his side even.
In the early match Eastern Stars had the measure of Lae beating the visitors 2-1. Basil Jofarin scored for Stars in the opening half while Patrick Aisa scored the Stars other goal. Liam Kohu pulled on back for Lae. Over In Lae the young Besta PNG United side courageously beating Admiralty FC 2-1.