Hekari get pass

 By HENRY MORABANG

THE Papua New Guinea Football Association says Hekari United FC will be the only representative at the 2014 OFC Champions League.

It was expected that a second side, the regular season second placed team in the Telikom National Soccer League would enter a second tiered regional competition to qualify into the Champions League, however, PNGFA chief executive officer Dimirit Mileng said unless qualification instructions have changed, the reigning NSL champions would be the only side to advance to the league.

Mileng said Hekari had one more outstanding match against WNB Tavur which would be played tomorrow but the result would be academic as they had already accrued enough points (35) to claim the minor premiership – with Besta United eight points further back.

“We are yet to sight any new qualified instruction to state other eligibility clauses to allow other teams (in the NSL) other than the minor premier club to participate in the regional tournament,” he said.

However, the race for the eighth spot will be contested by second-placed teams in all national  competitions where they will go through preliminary stage play-off round games.

Questions are being asked whether Besta United, who are on form the second best team in PNG, should be eligible to participate since they are essentially an age group side competing in the NSL at the behest of the PNGFA.

Nevertheless the O-League qualification rules have seen changes and adjustments over its eight years.   

It is noted since 2012-13 season O-League changed its format. 

At first, there was the introduction of a qualifying stage, where champions of the four weakest leagues competed for a playoff spot with the representative of country with worst record from previous edition of the O-League. 

There were schedule and format changes for main tournament too. 

Monte-Dore of New Caledonia won the preliminary playoffs and took part in the 2013 OFC Champions League.

NSL development manager Chris Brown when contacted by this paper said he would find out and get back. 

He said at this stage there has not been a decision made as to what format the OFC Champions League will take – this will be discussed at their executive committee meeting in July. 

Until that meeting takes place he would not be in a position to make any comment.

Hekari have represented PNG for the six consecutive OFC Champion League (formerly known as O-League)  the only team to have represented PNG for this length of time.