Papaka claim inaugural Hekari Central Cup

The National Sports
Source:
The National, Monday May 23rd, 2016

HOST Papaka 1 proved too strong to beat Kalo 2-0 in the grand final of the inaugural Hekari Central Cup last Friday.
The David Aua-coached team went through the one-week tournament undefeated to take revenge over Kalo in the replay of the Rigo Coast LLG soccer tournament.
The champions Papaka 1 picked up the K8000 prizemoney and the Hekari Central Cup, while Kalo settled for K4000 and a trophy.
Keapara, in third-place, got K2000 and a trophy while Alukuni, in fourth, won K1000 and a trophy.
The grand final victory was sweet  revenge for the Papaka players.
During the Rigo Coast LLG tournament, Kalo beat Keapara 3-2 but the latter turned the tables to win the opening match with the same score and remained undefeated to meet Kalo in the final.
Papaka and Kalo finished first and second respectively in their pool while in Pool B, Keapara was first and Alukuni second to set for the crisscross semi-final.
In the semi finals, Papaka thrashed Alukini 6-0 to book the first grand final berth before Kalo snatched the other berth by edging Keapara 2-1.
In the third and fourth play-off, Keapara beat Alukuni 11-10 in the penalty shoot-out after both teams drew 4-4 at regulation and extra time.
The grand final was a thriller as both teams had a score to settle.
Papaka 1, led by skipper Kila Polena Iaravai, Gerega Vavine, Rawali Kila in the midfield, made sure their strikers in Geno Karo and Ilagi Geno scored goals.
Kalo was led by captain Patrick Nota, who was assisted by Pala Vere, Pala Vakona and Opu Karo to contain Papaka’s danger-man Kila Polena Iaravai.
Both teams tried all the tricks in the book but came out goal-less in the opening half.
In the second half, Papaka coach Aua instructed his players to keep the ball low and ensure they found target.
Several minutes into the second half, Papaka 1 did exactly that, with Gerega Vavine scoring the opening goal before Ryan Gerega put the icing on the cake for Papaka to win the inaugural Hekari Central Cup. Final Result: Papaka 1 2: (Gerega Vavine 56, Ryan Gerega 70) Kalo 0. Half time 0-0.