City fight back to force draw

By LARRY ANDREW
KUMUL Petroleum National Soccer League reigning champions Lae City fought back to force a 1-1 draw with leaders Hekari United in the top-of-the-table clash in the Morobe capital on Saturday.
The match was the main attraction of the round nine Lae triple-header, which saw the hosts finish the game with 10 men following Emmanuel Airem’s sending off in the second half.
The intensity of game had the crowd on the edge of their seats at the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium with Hekari and City fielding their overseas players in their starting 11.
Both halves were evenly contested with Hekari midfielders Michael Foster, Brazilian Vinicius Kryzozun and Orsen Gia stamping their mark but their City opposites in Emmanuel Simon, Jacob Sabua and Ecuadorian Abdias Aguirre were up to the task.
City conceded a penalty when defender Airem brought down Hekari’s Patrick Aisa inside the penalty area.
Kryzozun sailed the ball past City goalkeeper Ronald Warisan to give the visitors a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute.
The game seesawed with City’s Nigel Dabinyaba, captain Raymond Gunemba, Aguirre and substitute Obert Bika, who replaced Dustine Icaza, penetrating Hekari’s defence.
But visiting captain Koriak Upaiga and fellow defenders Eric Joe, Daniel Joe and Junior David were able to thwart City’s attack, which is the best in the competition.
In the second half, the intensity of the game reached another level as referee Roger Adam cautioned Hekari pair Foster and Nathan James, and City’s Philip Steven.
David gave away a penalty when he brought down Dabinyaba near the goalmouth.
Simon stepped up and equalised in the 57th minute.
It was anybody’s game and Hekari had the numerical advantage with 33 minutes remaining after Airem was shown a red card for an elbow on Kryzozun.
But the hosts held on for a share of the points.
Meanwhile, Madang’s Tusbab Stallions played out a 0-0 draw with hosts Morobe United.
Results: Tusbab Stallions 0 Morobe United 0, Bougainville 1 Star Mountain 1, Morobe Wawens 0 Vitiaz United 1, Gulf Komara 2 Kutubu 0, Lae City 1 Hekari United 1.