Hekari remain unbeaten

By PATRICIA KEAMO
SOUTHERN Conference leaders Hekari United continued their perfect start with a 5-1 win over Port Moresby Strikers in round seven of the Women’s National Soccer League at Papua New Guinea Football Stadium on Saturday.
Coached by Erickson Komeng, Hekari’s Marie Kaipu and Calista Maneo dominated Strikers defenders Lucy Maino and Lavinia Hola in the nation’s capital.
Kaipu and Maneo each scored a double and midfielder Phyllis Pala added to their tally before Strikers scored their only goal in the dying minutes through Nialen Moses.
“My players executed everything we planned during training,” Komeng told The National.
“We are now one step closer to the minor premiership.
“But we won’t take any team lightly.”
Hekari will face Amoana tomorrow afternoon in their round-eight fixture.
“It’s a short turnaround, but we can’t do much,” Komeng said.
“We have to put time and effort into preparing for our next game against Amoana on Tuesday (tomorrow).
“They have been playing well and will be looking forward to playing against us, so we have to be at our best. My aim now is to identify our opponents’ weaknesses.
“We need to continue attacking and work on our fitness.”
Earlier, fourth-placed Amoana edged Bernice 1-0 through an early goal by Molly Daura. Rookies Souths Hinamo were solid against second-placed National Capital District, but they went down by one goal to coach Wira Wama’s side.
Results: Sat, May 7 – Kuri 3 Goroka 2, Mt Hagen 3 Simbu Ambai 1, Mommers 7 Southern Highlands 1 (Highlands), Kiara 5 North Bougainville 0, Hamatana 7 Buka Atolls 0 (New Guinea Islands), Rainy Lae 0, Lahi Power 3, Tusbab Laidamon 7 LFA Originals 0, Poro 2 Bara 3 (Northern), Bernice 0 Amoana 1, National Capital District 1 Souths Hinamo 0, Hekari United 5 Port Moresby Strikers 1 (Southern).