By CHARLIE DUMAVI
Hekari United FC broke free to get back into the race for the inaugural Oceania Football Confederation Women’s Champions League by defeating Kiwi FC 9-0 at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium, Port Moresby
After a shocking 2-1 lose in their tournament opener against AS Academy Feminine of New Caledonia, Hekari bounced back with the highest score so far in the tournament, scoring 9 goals against Samoa’s Kiwi FC.
It did not take long for Ramona Padio to score the opener for the home side 14th minute into the game that set phase for her team that kept the spectators on their feet until the final whistle.
Excited HUFC head coach Erikson Komeng said the scoreline shows how good they are to compete for the top spot in the tournament.
“The lose made us to work hard today (Saturday), and the performance shows how good we are and how good we can play,” Komeng said.
“I told the girls that we just need to score goals, and that’s what we did. Everyone did well, and I’m so proud of the girls.”
He added that they have learnt a lot during their first game against AS Academy Feminine and the Kiwi FC match and will work on that for the remaining games.
“The win today (Saturday) is a big bonus for us to bring positive into the camp, and we are looking forward to our next game.”
Komeng, however, said before their next game on Thursday against Koloale FC of Solomon Islands, his side will get the most needed rest before they start training again for the match.
Fighting to the last whistle is what the Kiwi FC showed in the match. Despite conceding three goals into the half-time, the Samoan ladies gave all they have under a showering Port Moresby evening, a wet condition that really work in favor of the home side.
Kiwi FC coach Leti Tamases did not say much but expressed her satisfaction for the effort her team put in and said to work more on ball possession.
“The only thing that we need to work on is the possession on the ball. We need to keep that ball,” Tamasese said.
Moreover, HUFC were hungry for more goals, seeing their thundering attacks led by Marie Kaipu upfront with Gloria Laeli and Shalom Waide running running the winds every time ball finds Padio in the middle.
