HEKARI goal keeper Dave Tomare has won the golden clove at the recent OFC Championship league at Honiara, Solomon Island.
Tomare led the young pack conquering stage matches to the finals, but fell short to Auckland City FC of New Zealand with two points to nil.
In an interview with Sunday Bulletin on Saturday, Tomare, who expressed his satisfaction for the well-executed tournament, said that the boys did not claim the cup they were expecting.
He thanked the Good Lord above for the courage and never-ending guidance and protection all throughout his life in football.
“The golden Glove that I won is from my hard work during the training,” said Tomare.
“Sometimes I feel tired but I keep on putting effort to make sure that I had a strong mindset to keep pushing myself on trainings,” he said.
Tomare, who maintained his training for two months with the red army in preparation for the OFC Championship, played really well by completing the championship on a high note.
He said, the boys did not find any difficulty in the tournament because everything that they learnt with coach was put into practice.
“For the tournament too, I was the captain so I worked hard with an aim to win the tournament but we did not get what we wanted. In the finals there is a winner and a looser so we were unfortunate.
“But the award that I got is a mild stone achievement for myself, and it is my first time to get this kind of award in bug competitions like that so I am so proud,” Tomare said.
To be the captain of the team is not an easy task and Tomare has shown his leadership by making sure the senior players portray good example for the junior ones to follow and work together.
He encouraged the fellow players to communicate and get along well on and off the field to make sure they are mentally and physically fit for the games.
Tomare thanked the sponsors who sponsored the Hekari United throughout the year. “I want to also thank the PNG and Solomon Island supporters who have been at the back all throughout the championship. And big one to my people of Bougainville for always supporting me throughout my football career.”