Hekari to host second leg

LAE City and Hekari United will clash tomorrow at the Sir John Guise Stadium in the second leg of the national playoff for a spot in the Oceania Football Confederation champions league centralised tournament in Vanuatu.
While Hekari will look to solidify their 2-1 victory from last weekend, City are gearing up to make a comeback and keep their O-League dreams alive.
With Hekari up with two goals from their away game last week in Lae, City will have to dig deep and score more than two goals and restrict Hekari from converting more goals in order to qualify.
With forward Ati Kepo cleared from his one-match ban following a red card in last year’s national playoff, Hekari will be capitalising on his experience up front to create combinations with Rex Naime and Ila Ani.
Skipper Daniel Joe will look to maintain his form from last week as he leads defence for the Erickson Komeng coached side with support from Godfrey Haro, Kolu Kepo and Peter Dabinyaba Jr.
Youngster Yagi Yasasa, who was lethal in last weekend’s playoff, will be directing play in the midfield alongside Solomon Rani and Freddy Kepo.
Komeng’s men would look to solidify their O-League campaign after the 2020 edition ended prematurely due to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
Meanwhile, City are aiming for a comeback after a home ground loss last weekend at the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium.
Head coach Bob Morris said while his side haven’t had enough recovery time, especially with their injured members from last weekend, they prepared well.
“We are ready and more focused on our mission and that is to win this game,” Morris told The National yesterday.
“We have Obert Bika back on the roster that gives us strength in our attack which was missing last week because of his suspension,” said Morris.
Meanwhile, City defender Alwin Komolong said the team was disappointed with last week’s playoff but they were focused on turning the results around for the second leg of the playoff.
“Some people forgot that it was actually our first loss domestically in a while so it was a different feeling but we’re a hundred per cent focused on coming back and proving that we’re a quality side,” Komolong told The National.