Hekari Utd take lead in NSL competition

HEKARI United have snatched the lead from CMSS Tigers in the National Soccer League (NSL) competition.
According to the competition ladder supplied by NSL office, Hekari United, CMSS Tigers and Gelle Hills are all sharing nine points apiece with each side separated on goal difference, resulting in Hekari United becoming the outright leaders.
Hekari United and CMSS Tigers also have a  match in hand which was put off due to United’s  O-league match against Marists FC on Solomon Islands last Saturday.
Both Hekari and CMSS Tigers are contesting on number of goals.
From the previous weekend’s matches in Port Moresby, Hekari United steamrolled PNG Besta United 6-1 while CMSS Tigers beat Niupetro Fox 3-1.
PNGFA media officer Daisy Bowada-Serum said the NSL board met on Monday and had agreed to shelve the wash-out matches and continue with Round Six matches on Saturday.
She said there would be two matches in Lae and Port Moresby.
In Lae, Besta PNG will play CMSS Tigers in the opening match.
Tigers will be treating the match seriously, especially to score more goals to retain the number one spot.
Tigers coach Joo-wan Jung yesterday said his team were treating the game with respect and would not take PNG development squad lightly.
He said he would finalise his team after today’s training.
Joo-wan said the club’s training had been disrupted due to Southern Regional Nines tournament held at the Lloyd Robson Oval.
The next game is between Raymond Nasa-coached side, Gigira Laitepo Morobe FC and visiting Niupetro Fox from Madang.
Nasa will be counting on senior players in skipper Goroba Tawa, Mathew Yang, Simon Memafu, Rodney Talau, Armstrong Peka and Hans Mambere.
In Port Moresby, Esiloan Uni InterFC face a stiff challenge from Gelle Hills while Eastern Stars FC battle against Tukoko Unitech FC.
The highlight of the University versus Gelle Hills would see striker Tau Winnie challenging his former Gelle Hills teammates.