Underdogs hopeful

SOLOMON Islands champions, Koloale FC, are looking for a positive result when they clash with defending champions, Hekari United FC, in the O-League challenge at the Lloyd Robson Oval in Port Moresby tomorrow.
With both sides coming off defeats, no doubt this match will be a thriller and the side who are more desperate should run away with the three points.
Koloale FC are going into the match as the underdogs, and hoping the O-League champions are still trying to rebuild their confidence after going down to Amical FC 2-1 in their opening match.
The Solomon Islands champions are also rebuilding their confidence after their 2-1 defeat at the hands of Fijian champions Lautoka FC in front of 11,000 fans at the Lawson Tama Stadium.
But Koloale coach Peter Eke said his players had put their first loss behind them and were looking forward to their next game.
Eke is adamant their first loss will help them to improve on these areas.
He is hoping they would come out a stronger and better team to register a positive result.
Former Waitakere United FC flanker Benjamin Totori is back with Koloale and will be leading the “men in green” with Mostyn Beui as his vice-captain.
Totori’s experience will be a telling factor for the visitors and Eke is confident in his captaincy because he has been working well with the players on and off the field.
Koloale FC will be arriving in Papua New Guinea at 1pm today.
If their performance was not to expectation in their last match, Hekari should lift their performance and prove that they are ready for FIFA Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from Dec 8-18.
There may be too much pressure on the O-League champions, but one thing is for sure they have been working on their combinations after Fijian imports, midfielder Malakai Tiwa and Alvin Singh were cleared by the Fiji Football Association.
Franchise owner John Kapi Natto said recently that with Tiwa likely to take the field, he would be combining well with Hekari captain David Muta to dictate play in the centre.
Tiwa has already proven a valuable asset for the club, scoring a goal in the local Telikom National Soccer League competition against Gigira Laitepo Morobe Kumuls in Port Moresby.
His compatriot Singh has also scored several goals in the NSL challenge.
It is also a must-win for Hekari United if they are to keep in close tab with the leaders of pool B.
Singh has also hit his form in the NSL competition while another Fijian import and striker Osea Vakatalaseu, if things go as planned should to take the field against the visitors.
Possible line-up for Hekari United: Gure Gabina (goalkeeper), Koriak Upaiga, Alvin Singh, Pita Bolaitoga, Malakai Tiwa, David Muta (midfielders), Kema Jack, Tuimasi Manuca, Joachim Waroi (strikers), Henry Fa’arodo Jr, Benjamin Mela (flankers).
In the local NSL competition, there will be a double header in Lae. Eastern Stars FC face Tukoko University Lae and Morobe Kumuls meet Petro Souths FC while Madang Fox is on bye. The match between Hekari United and Besta (PNG) United will be scheduled for another date because the former O-League commitment.