FC Radazz win praise despite loss to Hekari

Hekari United hammered FC Radazz 5-1 in a friendly soccer match at Kalabond Oval in Kokopo, East New Britain, on Saturday.
The match was part of Football Federation of Papua New Guinea’s (FFPNG) vision to promote and football at the grassroots level through the National Premier League (NPL).
Hekari strikers Ati and Kolu Kepo proved devastating, keeping the Radazz defence on their toes every time they touched the ball.
Ati scored four goals and Kokopo’s Nathan James managed one for the NPL heavyweights.
Radazz’s goal came from midfielder Harry Balbal who rifled home the ball from outside the box to catch Hekari goalkeeper Leslie Kalai and the defenders off guard, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
Hekari coach Erickson Komeng said he was pleased with the win, but praised Mathew Pala’s charges for keeping them at bay for the first 30 minutes of the match.
“Overall, I am happy with the result,” he said.
“Radazz are a promising side and they will be a force in the New Guinea Islands FFPNG-sanctioned NPL competition which is expected to kick off in October 6 with three other conference challenges.”
Pala said the match was an eye-opener for his players.
“I was happy to pick up few things my boys can improve on before taking part in the semi-professional competition in this part of the country,” he said.
“I commend FFPNG president John Kapi Natto for keeping his word to bring Hekari to Kokopo for the match.”
Meanwhile, Kapi Natto said the New Guinea Islands (NGI) was a sleeping giant in football.
“It is the beginning of football’s rise and I am putting all my effort to see what ways we can help teams in the region,” he said.
“Getting NGI to have its own competition will raise the standard of football in the region.”
He commended Radazz and their management for putting together a strong side, saying it was not easy play against Hekari who have more experience at the semi-professional level.
“It’s tough playing against a team that has been at that level for quite a long time. A lot of our former players have gone, so we are training young boys to take over,” Kapi Natto said.