Aporo Mai F.C.

Aporo Mai
Full nameAporo Mai Football Club
Founded2019 (2019)
ChairmanTerence Tipi
ManagerMathew Witu
LeaguePapua New Guinea National Soccer League
2019Highlands Conference: 4th

Aporo Mai FC, sometimes spelt Aporro Mai FC, was a semi-professional association football club based in Hekari Province near Kutubu, Papua New Guinea.[1] The club was founded in 2019,[2] as the feeder club for FC Kutubu.[3]

The club took part in the 2019 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League, where they were drawn into the Highlands Conference.[4] They finished fourth out of six teams.

History

Coached by former Hekari United coach Mathew Witu,[1] the club was revealed to be taking part in the 2019 edition of the Papua New Guinea National Soccer League in late January 2019[4] under the sponsorship of Kutubu Security Service Ltd.[5] Before the season began, the club only had one player with NSL experience – former PNG international Samuel Kini.[2] However, on the opening day of the season, the side thrashed Enga Laima 5–0 to go top of the league immediately.[6]

This opening day victory was their only win in the first half of the season, with the side losing their next four matches by two- or one-goal margins, leaving them fifth out of six sides at the halfway stage.[7] On 30 March, the side picked up a 1–0 victory against league leaders Kagua Erave FC, becoming the first team to take any points off Kagua Erave that season. However, this was not enough to revive their campaign fully, and the side finished fourth in the conference with 15 points.[7]

Domestic record

National Competitions

Final squad

As of 27 February 2019

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
—  PNG Jonathan Pole
—  PNG Gilbert Irapo
—  PNG Steven Tom
—  PNG Exit Kola
—  PNG Roger Kapang
—  PNG Jes Moses
—  PNG Clement Mita
— MF  PNG Samuel Kini (captain)
—  PNG Scott William
—  PNG Harry Tulf
—  PNG Kapi Losti
No. Pos. Nation Player
— FW  PNG Karesa Morris
—  PNG Noah Komia
—  PNG Lawrence David
—  PNG Imex Anton
—  PNG Dickson Suraro
—  PNG Siamo Madi
—  PNG Andrew Wilson
—  PNG Fredrick Daniel
—  PNG Kape Kenny
—  PNG Henry Thomas
—  PNG Rex Otto

References

  1. ^ a b "Witu confident in his side". Post Courier. 2019-01-18. Retrieved 2019-03-31.
  2. ^ a b "Highlands Conference side Aporro Mai looking to Kini for leadership". The National. 2019-02-27. Retrieved 2019-03-31.
  3. ^ "PNG NSL Full Season Preview". Oceania Football Center. 2019-12-13. Retrieved 2019-12-14.
  4. ^ a b "26 clubs set for NSL". The National. 2019-01-11. Retrieved 2019-03-31.
  5. ^ "Huge hurdle for Aporro Mai FC to jump over in NSL". Post Courier. 2019-02-04. Retrieved 2019-03-31.
  6. ^ "Highlands leg of NSL kicks off". Post Courier. 2019-02-11. Retrieved 2019-03-31.
  7. ^ a b "Papua New Guinea 2019". RSSSF. Retrieved 2019-03-31.