Hekari preparing for second stint

HEKARI United are gearing up for the second edition of the Oceania Football Confederation Women’s Champions league set for kickoff in Solomon Islands on Sunday.
Finishing second in last year’s tournament after falling short to New Caledonia’s AS Academy Feminine, Hekari are looking to make their mark in Honiara.
Eric Komeng’s side are pooled in Group A with Avatiu FC (Cook Islands), Tafea FC (Vanuatu) and home side Henderson Eels.
Hekari United were disappointed to fall short of claiming the inaugural OFC Women’s Champions League title on home soil last year.
Komeng’s side lost their tournament opener in Port Moresby 2-1, thanks to a 97th minute goal conceded against AS Academy Feminine.
It was a decisive result in the round-robin format and Hekari would go on to finish runner-up to the New Caledonia side.
The Port Moresby-based side is again Papua New Guinea’s representative at the tournament, which has been expanded to eight teams for the second edition to be played in Honiara in the Solomon Islands from March 10-23.
“We are very motivated and from last years’ experience are looking forward for the tournament,” Komeng said.
Komeng retained the bulk of the squad from last year.
Eleven players in the Hekari United side helped Papua New Guinea win the Pacific Games title in Honiara last December.
Striker Marie Kaipu will again be expected to be the main source of goals for her side, having won the golden boot award at last year’s tournament. Komeng believes that last year’s experience will benefit his players, who will have a good understanding of the environment they are going into.
“Yes, we hope it will help all the players adapt to the conditions,” Komeng said. Several of the squad played at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament – Oceania Qualifier in Samoa last month, and although Papua New Guinea did not get out of the group stage, the three matches gave them some invaluable game time
The Papua New Guinea Women’s National League has not started yet so having the players match fit is a challenge for Komeng.
Following the pool games, the top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals.