Hekari United

Ahead of their final, Hekari United head Coach Erickson Komeng told the OFC Media, his side was well-prepared and ready to rip in against the strong New Zealand outfit.

Komeng’s word translated into action as Hekari Untied competed with Auckland United in every aspect of the game with Marie Kaipu, Phylis Pala, and Michaelyne Butubu leading the charge.

The Hekari United FC will once again take the pitch under the guidance of Eric Komeng to avenge their heartbreaking result in 2023 at the home turf.

The club finished on the second spot behind AS Academy Feminine of New Caledonia in the inaugural tournament. They would want to go one step better in this outing.

After securing a 2-nil victory in the first leg of the national playoff, Hekari United carried the winning form into the second leg putting a stunning display, holding off its opposition, Port Moresby Strikers 3-nil to secure a spot in the Men’s OFC Champions League.

Both teams had a chance to score, Hekari United through Rex Naime and Yagi Yasasa and Strikers through Matthew David; but couldn’t nail it until the 24 minutes when Karo Kila broke the deadlock open following a nice delivery from Yasasa.   

Hekari United, alongside Fijian side Labasa FC, are among six confirmed teams, with representatives from New Caledonia and Vanuatu yet to finalize their participation. The expansion of the tournament to eight teams this year reflects the burgeoning interest and growth of women’s football across Oceania.

The competition will feature two groups of four teams each, engaging in a round-robin stage. The top two teams from each group will progress to the semi-finals, setting the stage for intense matchups.

Appearing in their first Champions League tournament, Tiga Sport bounced back from a 3-0 loss to AS Pirae in their opening match to surprise the Papua New Guinea powerhouse, thanks to a lone goal midway through the second half.

Tiga Sport started more confidently and with more intent than in their first-up loss, while Hekari United were happy to ease into the game, trusting their systems and looking composed at the back where 19-year-old defender Ila Ani and veteran captain Daniel Joe were rock solid.

The strong match ended with a 2-0 result, in favour of the visitors.

Returning from an evenly contested strong first half, young gun Yasi Yasasa netted the first goal following a free kick 13 minutes into second half. The man who is considered the next David Muta of PNG, set the tone in the second half. 

Ifira Black Bird with home ground advantage came charging strong to level the score but an informed Goal Keeper Davis Tomare denied them on several occasions.

The Tahitian qualifiers secured victory over New Caledonia representatives Tiga Sport in Port Vila, scoring all three goals in a first half blitz.

AS Pirae fired from the outset, with two shots on goal within the first five minutes before they opened the scoring in the seventh minute.

Yohann Tihoni zipped down the right wing and timed his run to perfection to meet a 30-metre cross on the full at the far post and volley home from an acute angle.

Unfortunately, after full time the spotlight was on supporters of both teams invading the field and confronting each other until police intervened.

The much anticipated semi-final clash of the two Moresby based franchises attracted a good size crowd to the home of PNG soccer, the PNG Football stadium.

Both Lae City and Hekari United lead their respective Conferences when the Kumul Petroleum-sponsored men’s National Soccer League was abandoned due to COVID-19 last year.

PNG is one of two countries to play single-leg match. The other is Tahiti.

According to OFC, June will see the return of Oceania’s flagship club football competition, the OFC Champions League, which will decide who represents the region at the 2022 edition of the FIFA Club World Cup™.

The boys from Lae beat Hekari United 5-4 in a very close encounter at the Sir John Guise Stadium on Saturday.

The atmosphere was one of high with anticipation and excitement as Hekari United supporters, donned in red, occupied one area of the stands while Toti City fans, in yellow and waving Morobean flags, could be seen at every corner of the Sir John Guise Stadium.

The 2019 grand final match between the two top semiprofessional football teams had supporters on their toes as the tug of war started on the pitch a few minutes after 3pm.