Upaiga nets 20th goal of the season

 By FRANCIS RODNEY PULU and LARRY AULA ANDREW

Fullback-cum striker Koriag Upaiga scored his 20th goal of the 2015/2016 season as Hekari United won their second Champions League game against PKA Rapatona 2-0 at the Bisini Soccer Parade in Port Moresby yesterday.

When asked about his scoring spree, Upaida said he was “at the right place and the right time,” to net his net goals.

The win puts Hekari on six points with Lae City Dwellers.

The Dwellers won their game against Welgris Morobe 2-0 at the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium and lead the league on goal average.

In Port Moresby, Hekari opened their account after 15 minutes when Upaiga slammed home a pass from striking partner Tommy Sammy.

Both teams lifted their tempo but could not score and went into the break with Hekari leading 1-0.

In the second half, the matched turned intense with both teams applying physical pressure.

PKA Rapatona’s Samuel Kini had a goal disallowed after the linesman raised his flag for an offside play. Hekari continued to apply the pressure until a pass by Immanuel Simon found Sammy who blasted a classic goal from the 18-yard mark. 

PKA Rapatona continued to bombard Hekari’s territory but could not find the back of the net.

Hekari coach Jerry Allan said with two wins from two matches, their focus was the same for the remaining four games.

“I have been stressing to the boys since the conference stage not be complacent but to play according to the game plan to achieve results,” Allan said 

PKA Rapatona coach Selan Elijah said his boys played well but failed to capitalise on opportunities.

Nigel Dabinyaba scored both the Dwellers’s goals.

The Morobe provincial government and Panamex-sponsored Dwellers had to wait until the 85th minute to score when replacement midfielder Ken Kepe set the ball for Dabinyaba for his first goal. 

Dabinyaba, of Oro-East New Britain, belted home his second at the 90th-minute mark.