Ten teams have bowed out of the race after an intense five-month battle between the 12 participating clubs in the semi-professional competition. The stage is now set for the Enga Provincial Government Mioks to go head-to-head with the Bintangor Goroka Lahanis in the 2023 Digicel-ExxonMobil Cup Grand showdown on Sunday (September 3rd ) at the Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.
Both teams have won their respective battles in the regular rounds leading up to the finals, and they are now eyeing the ultimate prize to win the war (premiership) and end their 2023 campaign successfully. The final task before Mioks and Lahanis is daunting, and the stakes are higher for both sides as the pressure to clinch premiership glory mounts.
The Enga Mioks tamed the Lae Snax Tigers in their Major Semi-Final clash last weekend and advanced to the big dance. While the green and gold army booked an early grand final berth, the Tigers had one last chance to redeem themselves and claw their way back to meet Mioks in the grand final. However, the determined Lahanis’ outfit dashed the Morobean lads’ hope in an extra-time one-point thriller over the weekend and sent them home packing.
The Enga Government-sponsored franchise had a stellar season, registering 15 straight wins on the trot and equalizing with the Moni Plus Port Moresby Vipers in round 16. Besides the match against the Vipers that ended in a cliffhanger, Mioks had an undefeated run from round one to the decider. They were in 5th gear from the get-go to the big dance.
On the flip side, Lahanis had a whirlwind season, winning eight games, tasting seven losses, and ending up with a draw. They finished the season in 6th position with 17 points. Lahanis were fortunate to make the final cut to play in the finals. They surprised everyone and won 3 crucial games against the three premiership contenders in Hela Wigmen, Agmark Gurias, and Lae Snax Tigers.
In their two encounters this season, Mioks defeated Lahanis twice. The Enga Mioks are looking forward to maintaining their winning streak, while Lahanis are upbeat to take revenge. The Eastern Highlands ‘Mud-Men’ have a score to settle with the formidable Engan lads.
This grand final has a sense of déjà vu, where these two sides last met in the 2018 decider, and Lahanis edged out Mioks to claim the title. It will be another fairytale ending as they lock horns to
contend for supremacy in the big dance.
The high-flying Engan lads are tipped as favourites to make a whitewash, while the Bintangor-sponsored outfit would go as underdogs. Mioks are primed to claim the title, given their red-hot form this season, but Lahanis’ late resurgence and charge to the finals has sent a warning to the premiership heavyweights.
With both teams setting their sights on the coveted title, the players will undoubtedly rise to the occasion to make their presence felt. We are anticipating an intense, physical, brutal, and bloody warfare. This decider will be a battle for the ages as the gladiators enter the biggest arena to display a rugby league spectacle.
Will the Billy Gau-coached side continue their incredible winning streak and end their premiership drought, or will the Charlie Wabo-coached team repeat the 2018 feat and shatter the hearts of the competition leaders? Whoever wins, both teams are on the cusp of making history and etching their names into the annals of PNG Rugby League folklore.
The battle of the East versus the West promises to entertain and light up the famous state-of-the-art Santos National Football Stadium this Sunday as the players rise to the challenge to deliver a mouth-watering contest. The loyal and die-hard fans are looking forward to rooting for their two teams vying for the premiership trophy. The fanfare has already intensified and gained momentum leading up to the big day.
Prepare your popcorn and be ready to get entertained this weekend. The 2023 Digicel-ExxonMobil Cup Grand Final blockbuster between the invincible Enga Mioks and resurgent Goroka Lahanis should be a cracker to watch.
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