Stallions’ Nigel Malagian deserves national recognition

The current edition of the PNG National Soccer League is not only having the spotlights under the giant-duo Lae City and Hekari United. The Port Moresby-based side Vitiaz United is impressing – challenging the two-best teams of Papua New Guinea and standing close to them in the standings of the league so far. Alongisde Vitiaz, the only Madang-based club in this year PNG NSL is also proving there is a lot of talent unexplored in one of the most important cities of the nation.

Tusbab Stallions imposed heavy defeats to Kutubu and Star Mountain already in the season as they forced Lae City and Hekari United to fight until the last minute to grab a winning goal in the both matches the teams met. The Wadunah brothers, Jason and Ricky, are impressing, alongisde the top-scorer of the league so far Stahl Gubag – the 20-year-old already scored eight in the process. The team work, the good management and the individual skills of the players all together are putting Stallions in the 4th place in the league at the moment; but a team can not work so well without a leader in the pitch, and he is Nigel Malagian.

The still 24-year-old central defender is having a top-class season for Tusbab Stallions: Malagian is receiving a lot of praise from local fans, media and football experts around the country and his performances are certaintly putting as a potential Kapuls member for the upcoming international duties of the Papua New Guinea national team.

The defender already played one edition of the OFC Champions League when he represented Madang FC – proving he has the necessary experience to display a very good role at Papua New Guinea national team. He is the leader and captain of Tusbab Stallions, responsible for organizing the defensive system of Stallions and start the offensive plays of his side.

Very calm with the ball, the player is also an accomplished defender, with very good tackles and excellent when covering his teammates in defense. Nigel Malagian has a very good passing skill – he knows what to do with the ball and also when not having the ball – and his intelligence in the game proves the high level he is in the national competition – a player that can offer more than the usual PNG defenders.

The defender is one of the responsibles for the fantastic season the Madang side is doing so far. His quality deserves national recognition – Papua New Guinean football is much more than only Hekari and Lae City.