Hekari secure minor title, eye another premiership

 By FRANCIS RODNEY PULU

HEKARI United secured their 10th minor premiership with a well-deserved 3-1 win over Lae City Dwellers in Port Moresby yesterday.

The Reds continue to set the benchmark for soccer in Papua New Guinea by dominating the 2015 Telikom National Soccer League suffering only loss, a 2-1 hiccup against Besta United before they headed off to Fiji for the Oceania Champions League last month.

In a thrilling encounter, Hekari kept a brisk pace to out-play a determined Dwellers outfit, who entered the match on a great run of victories over the other four franchises.

The match was played yesterday at the Bomana Correctional Service Oval on the outskirts of the city.

Hekari did not have things all their way after losing Fijian Bolaitoga in the second half.

The Reds were first to get on the board with a Tanito Tutizama cross finding Tommy Semmy, who made no mistake from close range.

Hekari showed they are a class above the rest and despite Lae’s best efforts to counter the high intensity approach Jerry Allen’s charges added another goal through Wilson Gia who benfited from some good lead up work by captain David Muta.

The Dwellers kept the contest interesting with 60th minute goal by in-form striker Nigel Dabinyaba.

Buoyed by that break Lae picked up their efforts and pressed for the equaliser and Hekari although were flustered in spots they kept their cool to see off the challenge. 

At 2-1 the game was proverbially anybody’s but Semmy featured in what was the game-breaking play with a drive down the left flank setting up substitute Emmanuel Airem for a header in the 70th minute.

A poker-faced Allen said he was pleased with the effort in winning the club’s 10th minor title but claiming the 2015 premiership was the goal.

 “The boys had been together for quite a while and they know what’s like to play this type of football and today was just an example of that,” Allen said. “Winning the minor premiership again is a bonus for us but the title is our goal,” he said.

Dwellers coach Peter Gunemba was a proud of his side’s effort reminding the press that his goal from the outset at the new franchise was for consistency and to gain from the semi-professional competition.

 “I’m so proud of the players,” Gunemba said.

 “We’ve achieved what we set out to do and coming second in our first year is something we are pleased with and can hold our heads up at achieving.”

In the earlier match FC Port Moresby secured their semi-final berth with a 2-1 win over Oro.

Port Moresby’s goals were scored by Basil Jofari in the 9th minute and Neil Hans in the 60thminute.

Oro’s only goal was scored by Theophillis Sergus in the 26th minute.

Summary: Port Moresby 2 (Basil Jofari 9, Neil Hans 60) Oro 1 (Theophillis Sergus 26); Hekari 3 (Semmy 10, Gia 22, Airem 70) Lae City Dwellers 1 (Dabiniyaba 60).