Hekari outclass Gigira

 By GABRIEL LAHOC

TELIKOM National Soccer League minor premiers Hekari United shut out Gigira Laitepo Morobe United 4-0 last Saturday at the Papua New Guinea Football Association academy in Lae field to cap off an excellent but tiring season for the men in red.

Hekari’s Solomon Islands import Joachim Waroi scored two back-to-back goals consecutive in the first and second half while Wira Wama and Kema Jack grabbed the last two goals in the last quarter against a tiring Morobe backline.

Waroi made his first score look easy when he managed to beat the two Morobe defenders, Malakai Ben and Valentine Nelson, before luring Morobe goalkeeper Danny Kali out and slotting the opener.

A wet pitch slowed the tempo of the match which saw the score remain at 1-0 until the halftime break as both sides tried to adjust to the conditions.

Waroi struck again in the midway through the second half when he intercepted a Jeremy Yasasa pass at the 20-meter mark to blast in his second goal for Hekari.

Wama used his heavier frame to out-muscle his opposite gaining possession on the left flank before taking a clear shot from 30m out.

Replacement Kema Jack added the icing on the cake with a calmly taken fourth goal from the right edge which he floated over the fingertips of Kali, whose whole-hearted effort did not go unnoticed by the  home crowd.

Hekari captain David Muta credited his boys for adjusting better to the conditions and taking their scoring chances.

He also hailed the strong support from the Hekari management which was reflected in the players’ strong commitment and discipline both on and off the field.

Morobe 0 Hekari 4 (J. Waroi 2, W. Wama, K. Jack). HT: 1-0 at PNGFA  Academy ground, Lae.

NSL ladder: Hekari 35, Besta 27, POM FC 25, Morobe 23, Oro 14, Stars 13, Tavur 10, Highlanders 6. 

Top four sides advance to National Soccer League playoffs.