Allen hails new ‘Muta’ in Reds midfield

 HEKARI coach Jerry Allen has rated his new midfielder Willie Gia as another David Muta in the making. 

Allen made the observation after Gia supported Muta in the midfield to ensure their team out-classed newcomers, Admiralty Peliau 6-0 in the wash-out match on Wednesday.

Solomon Islanders Allen would be banking on Gia and his other young charges in flanker Nigel Dabinyaba to provide the necessary support to their experience players in tomorrow’s National Soccer League third round against Oro.

The Central lad showed some maturity by going up against Admiralty’s Michael Foster and came out with flying colours beating former Hekari star on several occasions.

Gia has bigger task on hand this weekend against though – he will go up against Desmond Sow and Gary Moka of Oro.

Allen admitted that he used the Admiralty game on Wednesday to as the perfect run for his side to rebuild confidence and shake off the rust from a long pre-season.

Coincidently, Oro is coached by former Hekari assistant coach Matthew Witu who will have a point to prove against his former club and coach.

With the help of assistant coach Joe Turia, Witu will no doubt come up with a strategy to face Hekari.

In the main game, Eastern Star will have to play their cards right when they take on Admiralty.

The Stars certainly missed the services of some of their big signings such as Kelly Jampu who was out injured and Solomon Islander Jack Whitney who had to withdraw due to an ITC complication with his former club, Amicale FC of Vanuatu.

Admiralty will have to provide more support for striker Moffat Kalifa who was the lone trier against the star-studded Hekari outfit mid-week.

In Lae, the original team of Morobe in the NSL competition, Gigira Laitepo will take on young Besta outfit from the PNGFA academy.

Gigira after their big win in the opening match are looking forward to keep the fire alive when they face young guns from the PNG Football Academy.

The star striker Jamal Seeto is the man to watch for Morobe while Besta are an unknown quantity and could spring an upset. It should be an interesting game. Lae have the bye.