Reds make ninth final

 By GABRIEL LAHOC

HEKARI United saw off a stiff challenge from Morobe United winning 2-0 in the National Soccer League’s semi-final on Saturday.

The defending champions now face Lae FC in next week’s grand final – their ninth in a row.

Despite strong support from the home crowd and a dominant display by the host in the first half, Hekari maintained their cool to shut out the Morobeans in the main match of the double header.

Joachim Waroi made use of his dyed hairdo when he headed in the first goal in the 54th minute while local product Raymond Gunemba showed no emotions slotting in his side’s second goal in the 82nd minute to seal the win.

In a pressure-filled match, a total of five yellow cards were flashed on Hekari’s Nigel Dabinyaba, Eric Komeng and Pita Bolatoga and Morobe’s Eliud Fugre and Max Sengum.

Morobe failed capitalise on its first half domination, despite repeated attacks into Reds territory, and those threats posed also saw the Hekari officials on their toes at the sideline to rally the boys on while sponsor John Kapi Nato looked on.

One of the notable failures by Morobe was its poor combination between the midfielders and the strikers as on several occasions there was no one backing up to take on the loose ball. 

Because of anticipated crowd violence at the event, six police vehicles were on standby which resulted in a passive crowd during and after the match.

Gigira will play Oro in the third place playoff, with the venue yet to be confirmed by the NSL.