Vitiaz make NSL finals

By ROBINSON LEKA
VITIAZ United booked a spot in Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League grand final after they beat beat Hekari United 4-3 in a penalty shootout in Port Moresby on Saturday.
The Papua New Guinea Football Stadium semifinal ended 2-2 in regulation time but the competition rookies came out victors to earn their place in a bid dance against Lae City.
Reigning champions City beat outsiders Gulf Komara 2-0 in the earlier semifinal, thanks to first-half goals by Abdias Aguirre and skipper Emmanuel Simon.
Hekari’s Ati Kepo opened the scoring but Vitiaz responded with an equaliser through midfielder Yagi Yasasa who then grabbed his second via a penalty kick for a 2-1 lead at halftime.
Hekari, however, fought back and scored through a free-kick by Daniel Joe.
The match then took a dramatic turn when Kepo was sent off after his second yellow card (automatic red), forcing Hekari to finish the match with 10 men.
An extra-time tussle for the winner saw defender Rodney Talau also given his marching orders after he received his second yellow card.
In the shootout, Vitiaz and Hekari were handed an extra attempt after both sides scored three goals each from their initial five shots.
Hekari veteran Koriak Upaiga was unsuccessful in his attempt but Sigit, with Vitiaz’s hopes resting on his shoulders, slotted home the winner in their maiden season in the competition.
“It’s the first time for me to be in a penalty shootout and I’m happy we got the win,” Sigit said.
Vitiaz skipper Eliud Fugre said: “I told my men not to overthink the game. We just needed to be patient and the result would take care of itself.”