Unitech F.C.

Last updated
Unitech FC
Unitech F.C. logo.gif
Full nameTukoko University (Unitech) Football Club
Founded1994
League Papua New Guinea National Soccer League

Unitech FC, known in the Papua New Guinea National Soccer League as Tukoko University Lae FC, is a semi-professional soccer club based in Lae, Papua New Guinea. The club was founded in around 1994. [1] It is the football club on the campus of the Papua New Guinea University of Technology.

Contents

The club was the second ever Papua New Guinea side to take part in an Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) event, having qualified for the 2001 Oceania Club Championship after winning the 2000 Papua New Guinea National Club Championship. [1] The side also competed in three editions of the National Soccer League, and were champions of the Lahi Regional League on four occasions between 2001 and 2008. [2]

History

Foundation and early years

The club was founded in 1994, but records of their domestic activity do not begin until 1998, when they entered the Lahi Regional League and finished 4th. [3] In 1999, the side finished top of the regular season table in Lahi, which qualified them for the 2000 National Club Championship, although the club failed to reach the Grand Final of that year's regional competition after a disappointing knockout performance. [4]

Between 14–17 September 2000, the club took part in the National Club Championship, being drawn into Pool D and winning two and drawing one of their three matches, successfully enjoying passage to the knockout stage. The club beat Rapatona and Mopi before facing Guria Lahi in the Grand Final, triumphing 3–2 in a result which would see them qualify for the 2001 Oceania Club Championship. Later that year, they were beaten 1–0 by Sobou FC in the Grand Final of the Lahi Regional League. [5]

Continental debut and first regional title

2001 was a landmark year for the club, as they became the first ever Papua New Guinean club to represent the country on a continental level. At the 2001 Oceania Club Championship, which was held in Port Moresby from 9–22 January 2001, the club were drawn into Group A alongside eventual champions Wollogong Wolves, New Zealanders Napier City Rovers, Laugu United from the Solomon Islands, Labasa of Fiji and Lotoha'apai from Tonga. [6] The club won twice, 5–2 against Lotoha'apai and 3–1 versus Labasa, and managed to contain Napier City to just 2 goals in a 2–0 defeat, but collapsed against Wollogong Wolves (6–0) and Laugu United (8–2) to finish 4th in the group.

After finishing the regular season in second place, on 7 October 2001, the side played against Sobou FC in the Grand Final of the 2001 Lahi Regional League. The club picked up their first ever regional title with a 2–0 victory over five-time champions Sobou. [7] The side were due to play in the 2001 National Club Championship later that month, but withdrew for unknown reasons. [7]

Regional consistency

Between the years of 2002 and 2008, the club finished in the top three of the Lahi Regional League in every single season – excluding 2006, when the league was suspended midway through the season. The side picked up championships in 2003, [8] 2005 [9] and 2008, [10] beating Sobou FC in each of their Grand Final victories. They also finished runners-up in 2002, when they were unable to field a team to face Sobou in that year's final. [11]

The side also took part in the National Club Championships in 2002, 2003 and 2004. Their best result during this period came in 2003, when they finished runners-up, losing 1–0 to Sobou FC on 16 September 2003. [8]

National Soccer League participation

Following the side's fourth regional title, on 26 August 2009 it was announced that the side would be entering the fourth edition of the Papua New Guinea National Soccer League, [12] with the side adopting the name Tukoko University – 'tukoko' meaning 'eagle' in the Kote language of Finschhafen – for the duration of their time in NSL competition. [13] Despite some tough defeats, including a 6–2 opening day defeat against Rapatona and a 5–1 loss to champions Hekari United, the side were in contention for the playoffs at the halfway stage. [14] However, in the penultimate round of fixtures, their playoff hopes were ended by Hekari, after the champions and league leaders defeated them 3–1; [15] a final day victory over Gelle Hills was not enough to see them finish any higher than sixth. [16]

The side entered the 2010–11 season backed for the second consecutive season by local company Niugini Building Supplies. [17] Despite winning just three matches, the side finished third out of seven sides, qualifying for the semi-finals. [18] However, they were unable to get past second-placed Eastern Stars, who defeated them 3–1. [19] The club were due to play Besta PNG United in the third-place playoff, but the match was not played. It is implied that Tukoko secured third place overall by virtue of their higher league position in comparison to Besta PNG. [18]

On the opening day of the 2011–12 season, the side lost 3–1 against newcomers Bulolo United, a result which would reflect another semi-consistent season, in which clubs faced each other three times over the course of the season, rather than twice. The side ended up in fifth place in the regular season table, but entered the knockout stages nevertheless, although it is unclear why. [20] [21] The side came up against reigning champions and Minor Premiers Hekari United, and despite fighting hard, went down 3–1. [20] In the third-place playoff, the side took Besta PNG all the way to a penalty shoot-out before losing 4–3 after the spot kicks. [21] [22]

Withdrawal from NSL

Ahead of the 2013 National Soccer League season, it was revealed that the side, along with several other franchises, had yet to complete all the necessary documentation in order to confirm their participation. [23] When the list of confirmed teams was revealed in the New Year, Unitech were not among those listed.

By June 2013, the side were back competing in the Lae Regional League, and were top of the league and undefeated. [24] However, no further details of this season have been reported.

In December 2017, it was suggested that the side may be returning for the 2018 National Soccer League competition, but their participation never materialised. [25]

Honours

National competitions

Regional competitions

Related Research Articles

The Papua New Guinea National Club Championship is the top amateur division of soccer in Papua New Guinea. It is a nationwide league and was probably founded in 1976.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sobou F.C.</span> Football club

Sobou FC, previously known for sponsorship reasons as Cellnet Sobou and Telikom Sobou, is an amateur association football team based in Lae, Papua New Guinea. The club appears to have been in existence since the 1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hekari United F.C.</span> Football club

Hekari United, formerly known as POM Souths, Souths United, PRK Souths United and Hekari Souths United, is a professional soccer club formed in 2006, based in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Morobe United F.C.</span> Papua New Guinea football club

Morobe United FC, formerly known as Blue Kumuls (1970s–2005), Shorncliffe Blue Kumuls (2005), Tuguba Laitepo Blue Kumuls (2006), Morobe Kumuls FC (2007), Gigira Laitepo Morobe FC, Gigira Laitepo Central Coast FC (2011–12), and Welgris Morobe United FC, are a Papua New Guinea professional soccer club founded in the 1970s and based in Lae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rapatona F.C.</span> Football club

Rapatona Football Club, formerly known as Inspac Rapatona FC, CMSS Rapatona Tigers FC, Moresby Casino Hotel and currently referred to as PKA Rapatona FC for sponsorship reasons, is a Papua New Guinean soccer club, based in Port Moresby and founded in 1982.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Welgris Highlanders F.C.</span> Football club

Welgris Highlanders, formerly known as Welgris Momads, was a semi-professional Papua New Guinean soccer club based in Mount Hagen, but playing their home games in Goroka.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern Stars F.C.</span> Association football club

Eastern Stars FC is a semi-professional soccer club founded in July 2007 based in Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea, although the side plays most of its home matches at the Bisini Soccer Ground in Port Moresby.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Papua New Guinea National Soccer League</span> Association football league in Papua New Guinea

The KPHL National Soccer League, also known as the Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited National Soccer League for sponsorship reasons, is the men's top division of professional soccer in Papua New Guinea. It is a nationwide league formed in 2006 by Papua New Guinea Football Association.

Michael Foster is a Papua New Guinean football player who plays as a midfielder for Hekari United, and for the Papua New Guinea national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Besta PNG United</span> U23 football club in Papua New Guinea

Besta PNG United, sometimes known as Besta United PNG, is a semi-professional soccer club, based in Lae, Papua New Guinea. The side acts as the national development team of the Papua New Guinea Football Association, and is limited to players who are under the age of 23.

The 2011–12 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League season, known as the Telikom NSL Cup for sponsorship reasons, was the sixth edition of Papua New Guinea National Soccer League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lae City F.C.</span> Football club

Lae City FC, formerly known as Lae City Dwellers FC or Toti City FC, is a professional soccer club founded in 2014 and based in Lae, Papua New Guinea. The side currently plays in the Papua New Guinea National Soccer League, the highest level of soccer competition in PNG.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University Inter F.C.</span> Football club

University Inter, founded as ANZ University and formerly known also as ICF University, and, simply, University, is the oldest known semi-professional club soccer club in Papua New Guinea, founded in 1969. It is the soccer club on the campus of the University of Papua New Guinea, based in Port Moresby.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nabasa United F.C.</span> Football club

Nabasa United was a semi-professional football club founded sometime in 2008 and based in Madang, Papua New Guinea.

Petro Souths FC was a semi-professional association football club founded in 2010 and based in Mendi, the capital of the Southern Highlands province of Papua New Guinea, although they played their home games in Goroka.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bulolo United F.C.</span> Semi-professional Papua New Guinea football team

Bulolo United, known briefly as MMJV Bulolo United for sponsorship reasons, is a semi-professional Papua New Guinea association football team based in Lae in the Morobe Province. The club was founded sometime before 1987.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PS Rutz</span> Association football club

PS Rutz, formerly PS United and recently known for sponsorship reasons as PS Huawei United, is a semi-professional soccer club founded in 1992 and based in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Admiralty F.C. (Papua New Guinea)</span> Semi-professional football club in Manus Province, Papua New Guinea

Admiralty FC, often referred to as Admiralty Palaiau, Admiralty Paliau, Admiralty Peliau or Admiralty Peliou, was a semi-professional association football club based in Manus Province, Papua New Guinea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gulf Komara F.C.</span> Association football club based in Papua New Guinea

Komara Gulf F.C., currently known for as PRK Komara Gulf for sponsorship reasons, and formerly as Erema Gulf F.C., is a professional soccer club representing the Gulf Province in Papua New Guinea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue Kumuls (Mount Hagen)</span> Association football club in Mount Hagen, PNG

Blue Kumuls is a semi-professional association football club based in Mount Hagen, Papua New Guinea. The club was founded sometime before 1980's.

References

  1. 1 2 "Unitech Football Club". sites.google.com. Retrieved 2018-06-17.
  2. ↑ "Papua New Guinea - List of Champions". RSSSF . Retrieved 2018-06-17.
  3. ↑ "Papua New Guinea 1998". RSSSF . Retrieved 2018-06-17.
  4. ↑ "Papua New Guinea 1999". RSSSF . Retrieved 2018-06-17.
  5. ↑ "Papua New Guinea 2000". RSSSF . Retrieved 2018-06-17.
  6. ↑ "Soccer: Napier City in same group as Wolves". NZ Herald. 2000-11-02. ISSN   1170-0777 . Retrieved 2018-06-17.
  7. 1 2 "Papua New Guinea 2001". RSSSF . Retrieved 2018-06-17.
  8. 1 2 "Papua New Guinea 2003". RSSSF . Retrieved 2018-06-17.
  9. ↑ "Papua New Guinea 2005". RSSSF . Retrieved 2018-06-17.
  10. ↑ "Papua New Guinea 2008". RSSSF . Retrieved 2018-06-17.
  11. ↑ "Papua New Guinea 2002". RSSSF . Retrieved 2018-06-17.
  12. ↑ "NSL welcomes Unitech, PNGFA, Hills - The National". The National. 2009-08-26. Retrieved 2018-06-17.
  13. ↑ "Eagle launched - The National". The National. 2009-09-27. Retrieved 2018-06-17.
  14. ↑ "Clash of the titans in NSL as leaders battle to stay on top - The National". The National. 2010-02-04. Retrieved 2018-06-17.
  15. ↑ "Hekari United cement top spot - The National". The National. 2010-03-31. Retrieved 2018-06-17.
  16. ↑ "Papua New Guinea 2009". RSSSF . Retrieved 2018-06-17.
  17. ↑ "Local company back Lae football franchise - The National". The National. 2010-10-27. Retrieved 2018-06-17.
  18. 1 2 "Papua New Guinea 2010/11". RSSSF . Retrieved 2018-06-17.
  19. ↑ "Hekari and Star to meet in final - The National". The National. 2011-03-28. Retrieved 2018-06-17.
  20. 1 2 "Hekari, Star book final spots - The National". The National. 2012-04-09. Retrieved 2018-06-17.
  21. 1 2 "Papua New Guinea 2011/12". RSSSF . Retrieved 2018-06-17.
  22. ↑ "Hekari United win sixth straight title - The National". The National. 2012-04-15. Retrieved 2018-06-17.
  23. ↑ "New franchise means business, meets criteria - The National". The National. 2012-09-24. Retrieved 2018-06-22.
  24. ↑ "Unitech hold off Poro in LFA - The National". The National. 2013-06-18. Retrieved 2018-06-22.
  25. ↑ "NSL season to start next month - The National". The National. 2017-12-01. Retrieved 2018-06-22.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.