Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Albert Perez / Moreton Bay United FC

Moreton Bay United overturned a two-goal second half deficit to defeat Papua New Guinea Under 23 4-2 at Wolter Park on Thursday night in a friendly match.

Papua New Guinea held their advantage until the final fifteen minutes as the hosts delivered a dramatic turnaround courtesy of a brace to Chom Arop and further strikes to Stephen Green and Ryota Nakaooka.

Jets, who fielded a blend of Senior and Youth players, started the contest positively, however couldn’t deliver on their a bevy of first-half chances to Green, Charles Mendy and Joseph Champness.

Papua New Guinea struck the opener just before half-time as Tommy Semmy dispossessed Liam Previtera on the edge of the Jets penalty area before rounding goalkeeper Luke Borean and delivering the finish.

After the restart both teams saw chances as Scott Dykeman headed into the crossbar before Borean denied a strike from Semmy.

Midway through the half, Papua New Guinea doubled their advantage as Alwin Komolong beat two defenders before calmly slotting a close range finish.

However, the hosts mounted the comeback only five minutes later as Green pulled a goal back with a solid finish from 12 yards.

The teams were level once again as Chom Arop benefitted from a deflected cross to then turn his shot home from close range.

Arop delivered his second shortly after with a well-placed downward headed finish.

Nakaooka then sealed the comeback win in the final minute with a clever lobbed finish from the edge of the penalty area.

The win follows Western Pride’s 5-2 result against Papua New Guinea the previous night in Ipswich.

The matches served as preparation for Papua New Guinea’s upcoming Olympic Games Qualifiers in Port Moresby in July.

Moreton Bay United FC  4 (Stephen GREEN 77’, Chom AROP 80’ 83’, Ryota NAKAOOKA 90’)
Papua New Guinea Under 23  2 (Tommy SEMMY 42’, Alwin KOMOLONG 72’)