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F.C. Port Moresby

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Not to be confused with Port Moresby United.
FC Port Moresby
Full nameFootball Club Port Moresby
Nickname(s)Lion Hearts[1]
Founded2012
GroundSir John Guise Stadium
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Capacity15,000[2]
OwnerPacific Assurance Group
ChairmanRichard Kassman
ManagerReggie Davani
LeaguePapua New Guinea National Soccer League
2015–16Southern Conference: 3rd

FC Port Moresby is a semi-professional soccer club based in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. Founded in 2012, the club competed three times in the Papua New Guinea National Soccer League until the league split in 2016. Their best result came in their debut season, 2013, when they finished as runners-up behind Hekari United, losing 3–0 in the Grand Final.[3]

History

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In late 2012, it was reported that a club with the name of Port Moresby City FC had registered interest in the upcoming 2013 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League, but had as yet failed to pay the affiliation fee.[4][5] However, on 6 January 2013, it was confirmed that the side, now operating under the name of Football Club Port Moresby, were officially registered as a debuting team ahead of the new season.[6]

Under coach Reggie Davani, the side made a slow start to life in the division, losing their opening match 2–0 against reigning champions Hekari United before going down the following weekend to Gigira Laitepo Morobe.[7] However, a 3–0 victory over Eastern Stars, who had finished as runners-up in the two previous seasons, set a precedent, and the side would go unbeaten for the remainder of the season, aside from a match awarded against them in mid-March for failing to show.[7]

After striker Niel Hans scored five goals in a 7–0 thrashing of WNB Tavur in their final regular season match, the side went into the playoffs in fine form, having finished third in the table.[8] Indeed, they managed to get past second-placed Besta PNG United in the semi-final after a 2–0 victory, despite a strong start from the development side.[9] However, they would eventually fall 3–0 at the hands of Hekari in the Grand Final.[10]

Ahead of the 2014 season, the club expressed an interest in renewing their participation, but by October had failed to pay their affiliation fee.[11] On 13 December, it was revealed that the club had been axed from the competition by the National Soccer League board, an action which was appealed by the club, forcing a court order.[12] This court order led to a delay in the start of the season as a stalemate developed between the club and the organising body, despite Port Moresby chairman Richard Kassman insisting that the court case was not preventing the football season from kicking off.[13] The deadlock was broken in early February 2014, when FC Port Moresby withdrew their court case.[14]

After a season-long hiatus, the club returned ahead of the 2015 season.[15] Again, the side only lost three games across the regular season, to Oro FC, Madang FC and Admiralty FC, while managing to beat Hekari United 1–0 after the eight-time champions had already secured the Minor Premiership.[16][17] However, the side would only finish 4th after losing 3–1 to Lae City Dwellers in the semi-final and 3–0 to Hekari in the third-place match.[16]

Their final season to date was the expanded 2015–16 season, in which 12 teams were sorted into two divisions of six. FC Port Moresby were placed in the Southern Conference alongside Hekari United, but could only finish third after five defeats in ten games – including a surprise final day defeat to Erema FC in February 2016 – left them just a point shy of Rapatona in second place.[18] This was the final season before the league split, and FC Port Moresby have not taken part in any competitive football in the country since.

Honours

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National competitions

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References

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  1. ^ "A massive game for the Lion Hearts". FC Port Moresby. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  2. ^ "PRECINCT". Port Moresby 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  3. ^ "Papua New Guinea - List of Champions". RSSSF. Retrieved 2019-01-02.
  4. ^ "Only three pay". The National. 2012-12-18. Retrieved 2019-01-04.
  5. ^ "WNB's Tavur in NSL". The National. 2012-12-20. Retrieved 2019-01-04.
  6. ^ "FC Pom in NSL". The National. 2013-01-06. Retrieved 2019-01-04.
  7. ^ a b "Papua New Guinea 2012/13". RSSSF. Retrieved 2019-01-04.
  8. ^ "Hans sinks five to demolish WNB Tavur". The National. 2013-05-05. Retrieved 2019-01-04.
  9. ^ "NSL finals spot booked". The National. 2013-05-26. Retrieved 2019-01-04.
  10. ^ "Hekari rule". The National. 2013-06-03. Retrieved 2019-01-04.
  11. ^ "Moresby yet to sign up for NSL". The National. 2013-10-21. Retrieved 2019-01-04.
  12. ^ "Club fights ouster". The National. 2013-12-17. Retrieved 2019-01-04.
  13. ^ "FC Port Moresby set record straight". The National. 2014-01-24. Retrieved 2019-01-04.
  14. ^ "NSL season set". The National. 2014-02-04. Retrieved 2019-01-04.
  15. ^ "FC Port Moresby eyes fiery return to soccer league". The National. 2015-01-15. Retrieved 2019-01-04.
  16. ^ a b "Papua New Guinea 2015". RSSSF. Retrieved 2019-01-04.
  17. ^ "Hekari secure minor title, eye another premiership". The National. 2015-05-03. Retrieved 2019-01-04.
  18. ^ "Papua New Guinea 2015/16". RSSSF. Retrieved 2019-01-04.
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