Mossies sting, win AFL cup

PNG Post-Courier
8 September, 2008

THE Papua New Guinea Telikom Mosquitoes have won the 2008 AFLInternational Cup after a heart-stopping eight point win over NewZealand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday night.The quarter byquarter scores were PNG 0.4 (4), 2.5 (17), 4.9 (33), 7.12 (54) defeatedNew Zealand 3.1 (19), 5.3 (33), 6.4 (40), 7.4 (46).

Seventeen year old Amua Pirika once again stood up to his biggestoccasion when the youngster from Karawa village in the Central Provincekicked the last and winning goal minutes before the full time siren tohand PNG their first win in an international world cup grand final.

Pirika, who already had kicked 13 goals in the international cuptournament, added another three to his tally to lay the foundation forMosquitoes to lift the international cup for the first after two beendenied twice in 2002 and 2005.

And one person who felt heart breaking moment of losing the cup thesecond time to New Zealand three years ago was Alestar Sioni who toldme at their victory reception at Bacchus Marsh that it was anunbelievable experience.

“It feels like a heart breaking moment for a team to bring the cup fortheir country and it just means putting our country back on the worldmap.

“Honestly I don’t what to say....hard to describe the feeling I’mfeeling right now because everyone came here for one purpose and thatis to play for their country and dedicate the win for our family backhome because they put their time and money in,” said the 24-year-oldSioni.

A veteran who missed out twice on winning the cup, Gibson Overa said,“I give a big credit to the young boys. Because of them theyhelped....the difference in the biggest two finals I played, we reliedon our skills, how we moved and won by guts and speed. It was justawesome.

Outgoing skipper Rex Leka said, “I’m lost for words. It was greatwinning the cup after nine years of trying and the credit goes to theplayers and families for all their support in achieving this goal.

“And also a big thank you to the major sponsor Telikom (PNG) and theother minor sponsors for making this a success and also to the BacchusMarsh Football Club in Melbourne and Coolangatta Football Club in GoldCoast for their support and great hospitality,’’ Leka said.

The Mosquitoes had a scary start on their way to victory when the NewZealand Falcons got off to a confident start when they lead into thehalf time break at 3.3 (21) to 2.5 (17).

But the tide changed in the last two quarters when the Mosquitoesturned the whole game around and came back firing with their typicalstyle of footy.

The back line mended by ever reliable Nikki Appamumu, Willy Aisi, PeterMilaure, Alester Sioni built a brick wall and never gave the Falconsany chance of getting a clear chance at kicking goals.

Coolangatta’s lethal weapons in Joseph Ila and Emas Wartovo also playedan enormous role, combining very well with their Brisbane based teammates John James, Stanis Susuve and Donald Barry to make the NewZealanders look like beginners on the field.
Barry, Susuve, Wartovo plus Port Moresby based dynamites SylvesterMangoea, Boas Keu and Zachery Rava were outstanding and giving youngPirika almost 90 per cent chances of kicking their goals.

Mosquitoes coach Andrew Cadzow congratulated his side for playing adisciplined style of football and not taking their mind off their game.

Families and friends who would like to congratulate the PNG Mosquitoes on their historic win can email leslie.omaro@yahoo.com

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