Hekari eyeing semis

The National Sports

By PATRICIA KEAMO
HEKARI United recorded their first win yesterday in the Oceania Football Confederation Women’s Champions League to leapfrog their way to pole spot and keep their semifinal hopes alive after a 3-0 shutout of home side Henderson Eels at Lawson Tama Stadium.
Earlier yesterday, Vanuatu’s Tafea FC recorded a 4-2 win over Avatiu to top the group temporarily before Hekari edged them on goal difference to sit first.
A first-half goal by Phylis Pala gave the Eric Komeng-coached side a 1-0 lead in the break before two second-half goals sealed the result.
Following their 1-1 draw on Sunday, a win was important to keep their hopes alive and advance to the playoff stage and Komeng’s side delivered with skipper Marie Kaipu slotting in the opening goal in the 20th minute off a cross by Pala.
Henderson had a chance to equalise in the 35th minute when on a quick counter attack by Ella Vakatao pierced the Hekari fortifications but her shot soared just over Fidelma Watpore’s net.
The Eels continued to apply the pressure on the Hekari defence but were denied an equaliser as the first half went into added time.
Their opportunity to level the score came after defender Georgina Bakani fouled Madeleine Arakau conceding a free kick and receiving a yellow card for her troubles.
Henderson’s Edith Nari almost found the back of the Hekari net when Watpore fumbled the ball on the line, but the keeper recovered well enough to regain control ensuring the Reds would hold a 1-0 lead at halftime.
Early into the second stanza, Hekari extended their lead through Anastasia Gunemba who was switched from the backline to pair up with Kaipu and Michaeyne Butubu.
The Solomon Islands champions relentlessly fought to make a comeback with their forward working overtime but they were unlucky in creating chances to convert.
On the struck of regulation time ending, youngster Christie Maneu slotted the winner through a free kick from outside the box as the 2023 runners-up look to consolidate a semifinal spot in their final group clash against the Cook Islands side Avatiu on Saturday.