Hekari into final

By PATRICIA KEAMO
HEKARI United are through to the Oceania Football Confederation Women’s Champions League final, with Auckland United, after their 2-0 win over Fiji’s Labasa yesterday.
Following a scoreless encounter at the end of regulation time, the game went into extra time with Hekari’s persistence paying with two goals in each halves.
Substitute Nenny Elipas came off the bench to slot the opener for her side in the 100th minute before skipper Marie Kaipu provided for Christie Maneu 14 minutes later to confirm their finals clash on Saturday at the Solomon Islands National Stadium.
Kaipu led up front for her side with a shot at goal in the first minute but her left-footed attempt went wide.
Both sides had multiple chances created up front but were unable to convert. Kaipu and Michaelyne Butubu continued their pairing in the attacking third while their Fijian counterparts in Narieta Leba and Anasimeci Volitikoro applied pressure on the Hekari defence.
Komeng, who maintained an unchanged lineup, had Serah Waida and Georgina Bakani shoring up their defence with Raynata Samauel and Grace Batiy providing support.
Eventual player of the match Phylis Pala continued her strong form in the mid-field, guiding play with support from Christie Maneu and Mavis Singara, who were outstanding.
Despite holding most possessions, Hekari were unable to convert the five shots at goal in the first half going into the break scoreless.
Neither side were able to break the tie within regulation time as the game eventually went into extra time. Komeng’s substitutions had an impact as two extra time goals booked the Reds’ finals spot.
Elipas capitalised on a loose ball in the 100th minute in the Labasa penalty area to muster a header that was deflected, without breaking a stride, her right foot drove the deflected ball into the net sending Hekari into celebration mode.
With a little over five minutes before the final whistle, Kaipu drove into the Labasa goal before providing for Maneu to slot home the winner.
Hekari will now look to compete against Auckland United who are favoured to maintain New Zealand’s dominance of women’s soccer in Oceania.