Hekari start campaign with draw

HEKARI United have started their Oceania Football Confederation Women’s Champions League with a 1-1 draw against Vanuatu’s Tafea FC yesterday at the Solomon Islands Football Federation Academy.
Jane Alatoa opened scoring for the Vanuatu side in the 37th minute before Phyllis Pala slotted in the equaliser 12 minutes later in added time for the first half.
The second stanza yield no goals for both sides despite numerous chances as they ended the game with a draw to share a point each.
Two penalties in the first half ensured a share of the spoils, with Tafea FC also missing another spot kick in the second-half, forgoing the chance to take all three points.
The Hekari United attack spearheaded by skipper Marie Kaipu were quick to press the Vanuatu side early on and it was Kaipu who registered the game’s first attempt on goal in the seventh minute, although her shot was easily gathered by Tafea’s Nettie Kalsau.
The first real chance of the half came in the 18th minute with Tafea rippling the wrong side of Hekari’s net after a swift counter attack – the Tafea bench momentarily convinced they had broken the deadlock. Just under 20 minutes later, they did just that. Tafea were awarded a penalty in the 37th minute after Diane Sine was brought down in the box.
Jane Alatoa stepped up to take the spot kick, and rifled the ball past Fidelma Watpore to give her side a crucial lead.
Hekari renewed their urgency on attack, creating more chances. The pick of the bunch coming from Michaelyne Butubu’s cutback to Kaipu in space in the Tafea penalty area.
She was quickly robbed of the ball however, and a swift Tafea counter attack almost saw the debutants double their lead through Sine, who narrowly shot wide.
Hekari’s persistence paid off with an equaliser on the stroke of half-time, after Elma Aiviji caught Butubu with a stray boot in the box.
Hekari midfielder Phylis Pala brought her side level again with a spot kick.
The sides remained unchanged when play resumed, with coaches Robert Calvo and Ericson Komeng both opting to persevere with their starting elevens.
Meanwhile, Hekari is set to take on the host side Henderson Eels on Wednesday.