Hekari claim WNSL title

Sports

By PATRICIA KEAMO
TWO goals each by SONIA Embahe and Calista Maneo helped Hekari United fight back from a goal down to sink Bara 4-1 in the Women’s National Soccer League grand final in Port Moresby on Saturday.
The win saw coach Erickson Komeng’s side claim the Cup and K20,000 prize money at Papua New Guinea Football Stadium.
Bara’s only goal came from a penalty shot early in the first half through Eunice Nabalu before Hekari winger Embahe equalised moments from halftime.
Hekari came back stronger in the second half with Embahe scoring another goal before striker Calista Maneo bagged a double, sealing the win for the home side.
Team manager Vonnie Kapi Natto congratulated her side for the win despite losing experienced players Marie Kaipu, Rumona Morris and Shalom Waida to representative duties.
“It’s a big motivation for me to work harder next year,” Kapi Natto told The National.
“Despite missing our senior players, the rest of the squad did very well and I’m proud of them.
“I commend coaches Erickson and David Muta for imparting their knowledge and experience to the players. It has paid off.
“Congratulations to the team, they deserved this because they worked hard for it against Bara, who are an amazing team.” Meanwhile, Bara head coach Susanne Watpore said Hekari were the benchmark of women’s football.
“I commend Hekari for giving a good game against my team,” she said.
“We tried our best, but it was our midfield combinations that cost us the game.
“Apart from that, I congratulate my players for making it this far.”
Bara received K15,000 while third and fourth-placed Mommers and National Capital District bagged K10,000 and K5000 respectively after the Highlands Conference winners edged the home side 1-0 during the women’s league earlier on Saturday.