Hekari Utd to play for pride

By HENRY MORABANG
MRDC Hekari United will be out to restore pride in their final O-League match when they take on Fiji champions Lautoka at the Lloyd Robson Oval in Port Moresby on Saturday.
With Vanuatu champions, Amicale already guaranteed a spot in the O-League finals Hekari Utd will be battling for the second spot, currently held by Lautoka.
The reigning champions are currently fourth with five points while Lautoka in second with seven.
But a win for Hekari should see them shoot to second place with eight points.
However, they would be counting on Amicale to beat the Solomon Islands champions Koloale, who are on six points. Amicale are on 10 points.
However, if Lautoka beat the home side, they will be on equal points with Amicale but the Vanuatu side have a better goal difference.
Hekari Utd franchise owner John Kapi Natto said on Tuesday that they were treating the final O-League match with respect despite the outcome of Hekari’s standing on the points table.
The game should be a cracker with Lautoka likely to field their full strength side, including several Australian imports.
“We want to win the game as consolation for our supporters for failing to live up to our aspirations of finishing top in our group matches,” he said.
Kapi Natto will be banking youngsters in flanker Wira Wama and goalkeeper Leslie Kalai to step up.
He is appealing to fans to turn up and support Hekari in their final match which would be followed by the Telikom National Soccer League finals set for March 26 to April 2.