Hekari set to snatch top spot

 By HENRY MORABANG

REIGNING Telikom National Soccer League premiers, Hekari United will have a hectic week of matches leading towards the finals next week.

With three games remaining, Hekari will only need a win to confirm the minor premiership – a ticket to Oceania Champions League next year. 

The Reds regained their top spot after an unsuccessful campaign in the Oceania Champions League by already amassing 29 points.

They are closely followed by Besta PNG United. 

The PNGFA development team out of its 11-Mile academy, in Morobe, at one stage warmed the top spot.

NSL development manager Chris Brown yesterday confirmed Hekari would play three more matches, starting today with Besta PNG United at the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium.

They are then expected to remain in Lae to face Gigira Laitepo on Saturday, and will end the season with a match against WNB Tavur at the Sir John Guise Stadium next Wednesday. Brown said the semi-finals to be played on Saturday, May 25, and the grand final on Saturday, June 1.

Hekari United FC franchise owner John Kapi Natto was disappointed the TNSL was providing conflicting competition ladder to the soccer public.

“I am sure some of those staff are not doing their jobs,” the disappointed Kutubu man said.

He said playing three matches a week was nothing new for his team. Hekari did in the just completed Oceania Champions League where the PNG champions finished third in Pool A. 

Ba (Fiji) and Amicale (Vanuatu) went on to represent their pool against winnners of Pool B, Auckland City (NZ) and Waitekere United (NZ). 

Both New Zealand team has upper hand by winning their respective matches and are now awaiting the return legs this weekend.

The points ladder as of yesterday; Hekari 29, Besta 27, FC POM 25, Gigira Laitepo 23, NC Civil Oro 14 Eastern Stars FC 13, WNB Tavur 10 and Welgris FC 6.