Hekari see off Welgris

By HENRY MORABANG
HEKARI United FC was made to work hard for the 3-1 win over Welgris Highlands FC in the mid-week Telikom National Soccer League match at the Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby yesterday.
Two goals to Fijian duo Maciu Du­nadamu (striker) and Taniela Wa­qa (fullback) in the opening half had the reigning champions eying a big win.
However, in the second half, Wel­-gris led by Andrew Apo, Henry Gawi, Henson Upaiga and Pedro Ajakopa, put up a sterner defence to deny Hekari racking up a large score.
Welgris were not afraid to repeatedly raid the Hekari territory and that resulted in a good overlap goal by Gawi, who caught Hekari goalkeeper Leslie Kalai flatfooted to narrow the score to 2-1.
Gawi’s goal made Hekari shift into top gear as they started to bombard the Welgris territory with raids but poor options let them down.
Substitute Raymond Gunemba scored in the 68th minute to cushion their lead 3-1.
Welgris tried their best to score but could not as time ran out against them.
The victory propelled Hekari to 21 points, six clear of the PNG Football Academy’s Besta United , which remain on 15 points, Gigira Laitepo 11, FC Port Moresby 10, NC Civil Oro 6, Eastern Stars 6, Welgris 5 and WNB Tavur 1.