Reds look unbeatable at ‘new’ home pitch

 By HENRY MORABANG

NEWCOMERS Lae is expected to rise to the occasion when they meet reigning champion, Hekari United in the fourth game of round one of National Soccer League at PNGIPA Oval at Waigani tomorrow.

Lae coach Peter Gunemba said they are not predicting any win but the boys will certainly give the Reds a good game.

“Lae teams are good in providing good challenge for the Port Moresby-based franchise as young Besta outfit did to the champions last week at Sir Ignatius Kilage stadium,” he said.

Gunemba said the team may be new but they have some seasoned NSL campaigners in Simon Emmanuel, Goroba Tawa, Clement Peka, Japhet Tiampo and Emmanuel Yawi.

Lae is counting on Simon Emmanuel and Clement Peka to give Hekari some good and hard football lesson.

Hekari United coach Jerry Allen said his boys are treating every match as the final, and Lae FC will be no exception.

“Every game is important to us so is LFC. We are taking the game serious which is also part of our build-up to the OFC Championships League to be played next month,” he said.

With all the players intact, coach Allen wants to win as many games  before their departure for Fiji in April.

Hekari will be counting on midfield general David Muta and Willie Gia to control the game.

In the backline, Joachim Waroi who made a swift transition from striker to fullback, has been providing the much needed support to Taniela Waqa, Daniel Joe and Koriak Upaiga.

In the frontline, Nicholas Muri and Raymond Gunemba will be terrorizing the Lae backline.

Coincidently, Lae’s Peter Gunemba and his son, Troy will be up against Raymond.

In Lae, Eastern Stars have shaken off the dust on their sleeves and are expected to record their first win against Besta.

Stars coach Trevor Ire said it was testing time for his teams after a winless run in the last three matches.

Besta has given Hekari good run for their money last week, and they are expected to do the same to visiting Milne Bay franchise.