By GABRIEL KATUHO
YOUNG Gulf Isou five-eight Felix Beki has been named in the SP PNG Hunters starting lineup at five-eight position for the Host Plus cup round 16 match against Wynum Manley Seagulls this weekend in Australia.
Hunters Coach Paul Aiton called in Felix Beki to the starting lineup after rising five-eight, Joel Gena was ruled out after sustaining a concussion during training this week.
Gena has been stood down as per the QRL 11-day mandatory HIA Stand down policy. Veteran Forwards Seal Kalo, Sylvester Namo and Whallan Tau-Loi will all also miss this weekend due to on-going issues.
Hunters Coach Paul Aiton during the recent media interview stated that due to injury several players would make their debut.
“We have new debutants this weekend. Just this week alone we lost four of our players due to injuries,” Aiton said.
“That gives chance to other young boys to have a chance to wear the Hunters jersey,” he added.
Aiton highlighted that many Hunters players have sustained injuries on weekly bases and that had affected the team’s formation each week.
“We have got lot of players that come in have a few games and unfortunately sustain injuries and back out again so the team has to reshuffle,” he said.
With several players sustaining injuries, the hope for Hunters emerges as PNG Kumuls representatives Elijah Roltinga and Benji Kot made their return to the side after an extended period out.
Aiton remained focused despite the setbacks, while Looking forward for a tough match this weekend.
Here is the SP PNG Hunters list of current injured players who are unavailable for selection:
Joel Gena – HIA (11 days mandatory stand-down)
Whallan Tau-Loi – Hamstring injury
Koso Bando – Knee injury
Seal Kalo – Knee Injury
Josh Mire – Shoulder injury
Myles Banam – Ankle Injury
Sylvester Namo – Knee Injury
Samuel Wak – Fractured forearm
Chris Culligan- Fractured forearm
Carlos Lung – Ankle Injury
Norman Akunai – Shoulder Injury – Season Ending