PORT MORESBY – Gordons Secondary School has won the National Capital District (NCD) U-19 football title after downing Badihagwa 1-0. The NCD U-19 tournament encompasses secondary schools from all over Port Moresby. Striker Joseph Itana scored a second-half goal that was enough to guide his school to victory in an exciting final match.
Badihagwa had earlier dominated for long periods of the match but could not find a way through an energetic Gordons defence determined to hang on for victory.
Thomas Aboa played a key role in Gordons victory while Mark Vali turned in a magnificent performance for Badihagwa.Gordons’ goal came against the run of play when they counter-attacked on the left through Aboa who found Itana unmarked in the Badihagwa penalty area. Itana connected with the cross cleanly to sweep his team into an unexpected lead, one they held onto to claim the title.
Gerehu made it a double-final heartache for Badihagwa, winning the women’s NCD U-19 title with a 2-0 victory.
Gerehu won the match in a one sided affair with Cameline Mwadeda and Magret Ragi scoring in each half for a simple victory.
Ragi won the golden boot award for being the top scorer in the girls division while Badihagwa’s Ivan Wedo won the award in the boys division.
The National Capital District Secondary School Association (NCDSSA) is a pilot project of Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) for developing youths and coming up with strategical planning to boost and enhance their talent for the proposed nationwide Youth-League (Y-League).
PNGFA vice-president and National Soccer League (NSL) chairman John Kapi-Natto said schools football was an important method of teaching youth the importance of sport in developing well-rounded, healthy, happy and intelligent citizens who could give something back to their community.
Kapi-Natto who is also the patron of the competition pledged K15,000 for next year’s season.
NBC managing director Joseph Ealadona also committed K5000 for the youths next year.