By CHARLIE DUMAVI
Yagi Yasasa led Hekari United FC to victory against Ifira Black Bird with a 2-0 win in their tournament opener of the men’s Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) League championship at Fresh Water Stadium in Port Vila.
Despite playing in front of a foreign crowd, Hekari United FC did not hold back and put their skills to the test. Although the team struggled with ball control in the first half, they persevered and kept up the fight.
HUFC Head Coach, Erikson Komeng, acknowledged his team’s lack of ball control but was pleased with the result, saying that they came to compete.
“We will go back to the drawing board,” he added, “to correct what we need to be ready for the next match against Tiga Sport on Thursday at 11 am.”
Both teams were scoreless at halftime, but Hekari United FC took the lead 12 minutes into the second half when Yagi Yasasa curved a dead ball past the Ifira defense and into the net.
The goal came after Ifira’s goalkeeper, Antonie Taiwia, overstepped his box with the ball in hand, resulting in a handball. Minutes after the goal, the live stream shared through OFC’s online platform went offline for fans watching from outside Vanuatu.
Rex Naime, a 20-year-old star, followed through with a goal to extend Hekari United FC’s lead.
Komeng praised Yasasa’s performance, calling him a talented young player.
“Yagi is a talented young kid. He doesn’t talk too much, but he makes noise on the field.”
Credit goes to Hekari United FC’s goalkeeper, Dave Tomare, who was impenetrable and outstanding between the sticks, saving HUFC the game.
Hekari United FC will need to win one more game to qualify from their group into the finals.
