Hekari, POM battle for top spot

By ISAAC LIRI
THE Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League Southern Conference top-of-the-table clash will see ladder leaders Hekari United take on Port Moresby United at the Sir John Guise Stadium tomorrow (5pm kick-off).
Hekari have a lot of experience in their side in the likes of captain David Muta, Koriak Upaiga and Daniel Joe just, and will be the favourites.
But in football, anything can happen, so Hekari coach Jerry Allen will be reminding his troops not to underestimate the National Capital District Commission-sponsored side.
Both sides have perfect records and the outcome of this match will tell us who gets to lead the conference after round four.
Many football followers would see Port Moresby as underdogs in this one but after victories over Eastern Stars, Star Mountain FC and Central United, this weekend’s game will prove whether they’re premiership contenders.
Before this showdown, PRK Gulf Komara and Southern Strikers will be searching for their second wins of the competition.
The second game will see Eastern Stars facing Central United.
Just like Komara, the Stars will be running out onto the pitch with a second win in their minds while Central, who suffered their first defeat last weekend to Port Moresby, will look to bounce back.
Star Mountain are the only side in the conference yet to win a game and going up against Bougainville will not be an easy task for the boys from Tabubil.
Star Mountain had close games in the last three rounds and a win over Bougainville would boost their confidence.
Meanwhile, the start of the New Guinea Islands Conference – which was set for this weekend – has been deferred to next week (Sun, Feb 24).