Hekari to get square

By GABRIEL LAHOC
GIANT killers Besta PNG United are adamant they can repeat their round one dose against reigning Telikom National Soccer League champions Hekari United in their round two clash tomorrow in Lae.
The Sir Ignatius Kilage stadium is expected to be filled to capacity for this top of the table clash in which pressure will be on the Besta boys to live up to the tag.
Besta team manger Stanley Khana in reflecting on the general atmosphere in his camp said despite their relative inexperience the team was focused playing a well enough to push the visitors.
The team’s preparation towards this weekend was disrupted because of the inclusion of several Besta players in the national men’s week-long training camp at the soccer academy at 11-Mile, Lae, under national coach Frank Farina.
Only Nigell Dabinyaba and Wira Wama from Hekari were at the week-long Lae training camp.
Hekari are and looking forward to this match as they look to avenge their 2-1 loss in round one.
Fatigue could have been a factor after their O-league engagement in New Zealand days earlier as the Reds played well below their usual high standards.
Besta’s injury front is another issue with Ronald Warisan (goalkeeper), captain Roland Bala (fullback), Jamal Seeto (striker) and Carlos Peka (midfielder) carrying injuries into the encounter.
“Half of our team is down with injury but we have faith in the other boys,” Khana said.
 “We will not give any excuses, we are ready for the game this weekend,” Khana said.
“Hekari will want to avenge their round one loss and we understand that but we want to show them that our victory in POM was not a fluke.”
Other franchises will be hoping Besta can cause another major upset however unlikely because it would close the gap between the first place and the rest of the pack.
Hekari (25) is currently ahead of Besta by five points.
“Currently on 20 points we are five points away from the leaders (Hekari), and a victory (tomorrow) will see us move to 23 and cut down the lead,” Khana said.
Despite the home ground advantage Besta will not have it all their own way.
Lae football fans will be split with three Lae exports Dabinyaba, Ian Yanam and Raymond Gunemba playing for the visitors.
Khana also raised concerns about aggressive performances from some NSL players last weekend and appealed to both senior players and referees to be professional in their conduct on the field of play.
“Just play football.
“Fair play is what we want in this game,” he said, while calling on referees to be spot-on in their management of the matches and their decisions.
Meanwhile, the NBS Tukoko University and Petro Souths clash scheduled for Goroka is expected to be moved to Lae.