Hekari, Lautoka in O-League clash

HEKARI Souths United franchise owner John Kapi Natto is confident his team will be on track for their all-important first home match against visiting Fiji Lautoka  at Lloyd Robson oval on Saturday.
Lautoka who have nine Australians and a Vanuatu player will arrive today  for their second match.
The Fijians started off their campaign with 3-1 victory over Marist FC of Solomon Islands and are currently leading Pool B.
They are closely followed by Hekari and Tafea (Vanuatu) while Marist have yet to score.
Kapi Natto said the preparations had been very good since their return from Vanuatu two weeks ago and they looked forward to face the Fijian champions.
He added that coach Jerry Allan and his coaching staff had worked out what went wrong in Vanautu and would be working on those areas to win the coming match against their visitors in Port Moresby.
Hekari want to erase the bitter memories against Fiji Ba last year, and will definitely step up to give soccer followers a better showing on Saturday.
The only major worry is key backline player Koriak Upaiga, who is nursing a harm-string injury.
He will have to work hard to win back his spot from contenders Brian Tuhiana, Lepani Watson and Andrew Lepani.
Kapi Natto issued the challenge to Hekari that nothing was impossible so they had to win the home game as points in the O-League were at a premium.
“It is a vital game and the boys must be in a winning frame of mind to take the match.
“They can’t fail the soccer fans and sponsors who have been supporting and barracking for Hekari since last year,” he said.
He appealed to supporters and corporate sectors to come support Hekari, who are effectively representing the country.