by Jeremy Mogi – EM TV Sport, Port Moresby
Hekari United Football Club have cemented their status as the top club in the Southern Conference of the Telikom National Soccer League, after a hard fought 2-1 win over FC Port Moresby over the weekend.
Hekari had already qualified after only seven rounds of the competition, while for FC Port Moresby it was a do-or-die campaign for second place.
Top of the table clash in the southern confederate, as league leaders Hekari, met second placed FC Port Moresby. The match crucial for FC Port Moresby, as a loss, would place them in a tighter fight, with Rapatona to qualify for the finals.
The match hugely important for FC Port Moresby however, Roland recieved yellow on 18 minutes. However Koriak Upaiga would score on 21 minutes, and then doubled the lead on 26 minutes from beautiful ball by Tommy Sammy.
Hekari composed, although after half an hour, their opposition had yet to take a shot goal. Niel Hans however, capitalising on Ishmael poles failure at high balls, to bring the fight back on 33 minutes. The intensity would continue in the second half, Ryley Webster proving an asset for FC Port Moresby as Hekari continued with wave after wave of attack.
To counter, FC Pom Striker, Jamal Seeto, would make an introduction, coming on for Niel Hans on 63 minutes. Seeto would set up Nathan James however, a desperate tackle by Hekari centre back Sammy campbel would leave James carried off and soon after, slight embarrassment for Hekari, as Rodney Mobiha would have the biggest miss of the season.
FC Port Moresby had one last shot at redemption in the dying stages. Arniel Passam with the poorest of deliveries from a corner that summed up the afternoon for FC Port Moresby. But the FC Port Moresby attack would not stop as the late surge continues. A well delivered cross from Able Redenut finding the head of Seeto, who mistimed. And with minutes remaining Redenut took a chance of his own. But it was to no avail, Hekari taking top spot, leaving FC Port Moresby, now having to fight it to death in the final round.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=dglw3k22kBU%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
