Hekari United FC

This match will not only showcase the immense talent and skill of these two teams, but it will reignite the fierce rivalry that exists between both teams in recent years.

With a successful history and a strong fan base behind each team, the grand final rematch promises to be a thrilling and intense encounter that will have fans on the edge of their seats.

This women’s match was deferred to Sunday to accommodate the triple header Premier Soccer League match on Saturday.

Hekari scored in both halves through PNG internationals, Marie Kaipu and Ramona Padio to seal the match of the afternoon.

Filtered with members of the PNG WNT, Hekari under coach Erickson Komeng did not waste time putting on the best show for the football fans. They moved the ball from one end of the field to another with their trademark passes.

Both teams showed great potential in the opening part of the competition and a shoulder above every other team in the competition. Their match was a display of class, but Kempa FC came out on top putting a stop to Hekari’s winning streak.

The Round 5 match went down to the wire with both sides trading shot for shot at the goalmouth.

In the end, Kempa FC recorded two unanswered goals to stamp their authority as a genuine title contender for the 2023 NYSL.

The defeat marks the first loss for Hekari United in the competition.

This gesture was a fulfilment of an outstanding request made to Hekari Team Manageress, Vonnie Kapi Natto, from the late Neil Hans, a former Hekari player and PNG representative soccer player.

The late Neil Hans had requested for an order of jerseys for his home playing team Nabasa FC after his retirement from the National Premier League. He had come back home to Madang and took up position as Nabasa FC’s Team Manager up until his demise a few months ago.

The 20-year-old spoke passionately afterwards about the sacrifices her family has made for her over the past two years since she left her home in Parerono Village in the Buin District of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, to join the Port Moresby based club.

Playing in the inaugural OFC Women’s Champions League tournament has been a career highlight for Butubu who has seen her football flourish since joining Hekari United FC in 2021.

Striker and captain, Marie Kaipu registered a hat-trick and finished with four goals to send the vocal home crowd into delight.

Komeng had made a couple of changes from the side stunned 2-1 by AS Academy Féminine in their opening match. He brought in Grace Batiy and Christable Maneo into the starting lineup for Phylis Pala and Nenny Elipas.

Hekari levelled the score 1- all just nine minutes before fulltime. However, the visitors has the last say in extra time to win 2 goals to 1.

Running into Sir Hubert Murray Stadium with much confidence, Hekari United couldn’t ice some critical moment in the match when they had the opportunity. This came back to hurt them later in the contest.

From the get go, the visiting AS Academy Feminine were all but ready to give the home side a run for their money. The visitors distributed quick to where they could to keep the host team working.

Koloale FC from Solomon Islands and Navasa FC from Fiji arrived over the weekend. Samoa's Kiwi FC and AS Academy Feminine from New Caledonia are expected to be in the country before Thursday. 

The event organizing committee inspected the training field and sporting venue at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium over the weekend. All is good and set for the event.

The inaugural OFC contest will see five teams compete for the championship title. The early front-runners for the title, New Zealand, withdrew from the competition.

The PNG team won the first Group game against Ifira Black Bird but lost the remaining matches against Tiga Port and AS Pirae.

Hekari was spot on in the first 15 minutes of the final group match. They were certain to be the side to come out on top, but the momentum shifted as the match continued. Following a Yagi Yasasa free kick that hit the cross bar in the 14^th minute, it was all AS Pirae for the rest of the first half.

For PNG, Hekari United will fly the flag after their 2-0 over Lae City FC in Port Moresby yesterday.

Tiga Sport will be New Caledonia’s representative after defeating Hienghène Sport 2-0 in Nouméa.

Two late goals have seen Hekari United complete a 4-1 aggregate win over national champions Lae City in the PNG Oceania Champions League National Play-offs.

Midfielder Yagi Yasasa who scored in the first leg last week, pounced on a ball in the 83^rd minute to scramble the opening goal before Joseph Joe sealed the result in the 87^th minute with a tap.