Hekari lose match, Muta

By PARKER TAMBUA
HEKARI United went down fighting to New Zealand’s Eastern Suburbs 1-2 after Martin Bueno’s double helped the visitors win their opener of the Oceania Football Confederation Champions League group A at the Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby yesterday.
Striker Bueno finally cracked the Hekari defence and scored the opening goal of the match to lead 1-0 midway in through the first half after several failed attempts due to offside calls from the officials.
Although the goal seemed controversial with Hekari players protesting to the touch official for Bueno being offside, the goal was awarded.

The hosts, with a vocal home crowd behind them, went on the offensive after conceding the goal.
Hekari’s Brazilian import Vinicius Kryzozun and veteran David Muta controlled the game in the midfield which created some gaps in Suburbs’ defence.
Hekari then levelled the scores 1-1 when Patrick Aisa’s cross found Ati Kepo who attempted to dribble past Suburbs goalkeeper Danyon Drake but failed and the ball deflected off him which then saw Kolu Kepo pounce on the scraps to score.
However, the hosts’ joy didn’t last long as Bueno completed his double after a lack of communication from Hekari’s defence in their box saw the striker score in the dying stages of the first half to lead 2-1 into the break.
The second half saw Hekari aggressive in defence but unfortunately, Muta was sent off in the 53rd minute after he received his second yellow card following a foul on Suburbs’ Adam Thomas.
Hekari were a man short which created flaws in coordination in their midfield.
Despite that, Hekari still managed to create half chances but the exhausted Suburbs hung on to claim victory.
Hekari coach Jerry Allan said after the match that his side’s defence let them down.