Man-of-the-match Pole saves Hekari FC

 By LARRY AULA ANDREW

A MAN-of-the-match performance by goalkeeper Ishmael Pole saved the day for Hekari United FC to sail home with a 2-1 victory over Morobe United in the NSL Champions League match in Lae on Saturday.

In Port Moresby, reigning champions Lae City Dwellers beat Rapatona 5-0. The win has placed the Dwellers on top of the points ladder with better goal difference over the Reds.

The match at Lae’s Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium was played on a wet surface. The first 30 minutes was scoreless with the Reds’ Tommy Semmy, Koriak Upaiga and Wira Wama having the edge over the Morobean defenders but could not find the net.

Morobe United, with the support of the home crowd, gave the visitors the same treatment and kept Reds goalkeeper Pole on his toes to save numerous attempts. 

Morobe United’s Sammy Hiob had the best change to put his team ahead after Pole was lured out, but could not get the accuracy. The appetite to score kept the home side on their toes and was finally rewarded with a goal when Alex Kamen sailed the ball past Reds’ Tekieta Remuera for Beckham Yanum to score in the 34th minute. 

However the nine-time champions hit back with good control of the ball and determination to equalise through Upaiga before the breather.

The second half saw both teams having their share of possession but did not have the finishers to turn opportunities into goals.

The game see-sawed until left forward Semmy pelted across a well-timed ball for Barry Mansale to score. 

The Reds maintained their defensive line despite United players penetrating the goalmouth and Pole was everywhere to deny the Morobeans from scoring.

Hekari 2 (Upaiga 42, Mansale 64) United 1 (Yanum 34), Half time: 1-1