Four book finals

THE top four clubs for the 2009-10 Telikom National Soccer League finals have been confirmed following their good performance in Port Moresby and Lae respectively on Saturday.
Minor premiers Hekari United FC, CMSS Tigers, Gigira Laitepo Morobe and Esiloan University Inter – won spots with their outstanding performances in the final matches played last weekend.
Hekari further cemented their spot after sending Madang Niupetro Fox packing for the season with resounding 3-0 victory, while University Inter came from a 2-1 deficit to force a 2-2 draw against GL Morobe to sneak into the final ahead of Eastern Star FC.
An own goal by Madang Fox in the first half added misery to their quest of improve their standing in the NSL ladder while Fijian Tuimaci Manuca and Andrew Lepani added the extras to complete the formalities.
Lepani’s header was a classic when he connected a David Beckham-like curve by his skipper David Muta from Boroko market end of the field to seal the victory for Hekari United.
Despite posting a massive 6-2 victory over Besta PNG United, Eastern Star missed out in the finals playoff for this season.
The Milne Bay franchise, who were the crowd favourites, fell short on a number of goals while banking on Gigira Morobe to edge out University Inter for a chance to make the finals playoff.
Captain Adrian Komu put on a man-of-the-match performance to win K200 after scoring a hat-trick of goals while his two Solomon Islands imports Paul Wale grabbed a double and Timothy Joe opened the scorebook with a single.
Milne Bay local Junior Sato picked up a goal to record the highest number of goals scored by the club this season.
Besta United’s goals came from reserve striker Emmanuel Yawi, who connected a pass from Ricky Biaro and a penalty from Langarap Semoli.
The win by Esiloan University in Lae was a timely farewell present for their team manager John Yamin who was recently appointed to head the PNG Consulate in the Philippines.
Coincidently he left the same afternoon to take up his new posting and  will  not be around to see the semi finals this weekend.
In the other match in Lae, Tukoko University who made a late charge, thrashed luckless Gelle Hills 5-0.
In the semi-finals, Hekari United will play University Inter   while CMSS Tigers will lock horns with Gigira Laitepo Morobe in the battle of the Morobeans.