Hekari remain focused

By PARKER TAMBUA
HEKARI United have been focusing on team bonding during the Christmas break with new players joining the club since the start of the Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League (NSL) last month.
Coach Jerry Allan told The National on Monday that his side were not at their best despite sitting at the top of the ladder in the country’s premier football competition after round two.
He said team bonding and player combinations were what they had lacked in their wins over Star Mountain (3-0) and Bougainville (2-1) .
“Although we got the results in the opening rounds, we didn’t perform to our standards,” Allan said.
“Improvement was needed and we did not rest during the Christmas break.
“We trained throughout the NSL recess just to polish up on those areas.
“We lacked control, especially in the middle. Our attack and organisation was not satisfying.
“But I believe that’s because the bulk of the team are new and that’s understandable.
“Team bonding and adopting the Hekari culture are important.
“I believe we are improving. We will get better once the domestic competition resumes (on Saturday) leading up to the Oceania Football Confederation Champions League.”
Allan said he was counting on his senior players to lead the Mineral Resources Development Company-sponsored side as they prepare to host their Champions League group at the Papua New Guinea Football Stadium next month.
“The team are a mixture of young and old players,” he said.
“We will be counting on veterans Koriak Upaiga, David Muta and Michael Foster as they have Champions League experience.
“Others like the Kepo brothers (Kolu, Atti and Freddy) have no Champions League experience. It will be their first time to play in the regional tournament. But the team look promising and confidence is building.
“We will use our NSL matches to test players before the Champions League.”