By CHARLIE DUMAVI
Hekari United FC bounced back from losing a grand final match to Lae City FC to wining the first leg of the Oceana Champions League in Lae.
Making their return to Lae after a while since the change of National Soccer League (NSL) competition format following the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2019, Hekari came from behind to stun Lae City FC 2-1 at Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium.
It was an equally contested football until, Lae’s Albert Morgan completed the touch from Emanuel Simon to register the only first half goal just four minutes before the half time whistle.
Returning back on the pitch with a stepped up performance the Hekari United who almost got drowned by Sir Ignatius Kilage crowd and Lae City FC fans ran riot against the home side defenders.
The performance was rewarded by Joseph Joe’s goal after a little scramble and miss communication in front of the sticks from a Yagi Yasasa crossover corner kick. Riding on that excitement, Yasas silence the home crowd with another ball past Lae City’s goal keeper Ronald Warisan that sent a few of Hekari fans mainly close friends and family of Morobe boys playing for Hekari outrages.
Lae city carry on the fight to keep in the game but were ended up with miss passes and loss of ball control in their attempt to go pass the defensive Hekari backline under the leadership of club veteran backline and Captain Daniel Joe. City also lost a lot of players to injury that saw Coach Bob Morris dig deeper to replace players but could not find much needed combination to finish on top.
The game went from on the field players physically competing for the ball to spectators shooting in instruction and wildly throwing support behind their teams until the final whistle sounded. It was another great show of spectators who flooded the stadium to witness the two traditional rivals.
Moreover, with the first leg victory the Hekari United FC Team Manager Vonny Kapi Nato verbally blasted the media and refused to talk to the local media personal on the ground, claiming that the recent publicities have been bad for her club.
Hekari is now a goal ahead of Lae City and will look to extend their lead this Saturday in John Guise Satdium, Port Moresby to qualify for the top eight play off.
It will be an exciting match; Lae city will want to repeat their O-League appearance by keeping Hekari scoreless in the second leg and score over two goals or bow out to represent PNG in the O-League.
