Hekari and Dwellers end OFC campaign

Papua New Guinea representatives MRDC Hekari United FC and Lae City Dwellers have ended their OFC Champions League campaign.

The group stage ended on the weekend with Hekari finishing second in Group B while Dwellers failed to secure a win, settling in fourth place in Group A.

Hekari failed to qualify for the semifinals after being defeated by Team Wellington 4-0.

Wellington progressed with the maximum nine points while Hekari’s campaign was over despite two impressive victories from their three matches.

Hekari defeated AS Lossi in their first game 1-5 and beat Suva FA 3-0 in their second game.

The OFC official website reports that Hekari coach Jerry Allen couldn’t hide his disappointment after the match against Team Wellington.

Allen said it was a really tough game and they knew that Wellington were very strong, a well-disciplined team.

“They scored early and that wasn’t good for us. So we are very disappointed but that’s how football goes,” Allan said.

Dwellers’ first loss was against Amicale FC 3-0, second loss was to defending champion Auckland City FC 1-2 and the third loss was against Solomon Warriors 5-4.

Lae City coach Peter Gunemba couldn’t hide his disappointment after losing all three games.

Gunemba accepted the first two defeats but wasn’t happy with his players in the final game, “especially with my defenders at the back.

“Overall our first champions league has been a great experience. We learned a lot and I love this tournament. If we get a chance to play in it next year we will give our very, very best,” Gunemba said.

Hekari and Dwellers return home this week.

The semi-finals of the tournament will see Auckland City FC take on best runners-up AS Tefana at 12pm on Wednesday before Team Wellington face AS Magenta at 3.30pm at Auckland’s QBE Stadium.

Author: 
Quintina Naime