Hekari United FC

This was announced today by Chairman of Hekari, John Kapi Natto.

“Today, Hekari has officially resigned from the NSL,” said Kapi Natto.

Hekari Soccer Association was one of seven associations that were recently suspended by the PNG Football Association.

This was questioned by Kapi Natto who made the decision to withdraw Hekari- the nine-time winners of the NSL title from the semi-professional competition.

He added that Hekari will not take part in the  Oceania Football Confederation Champions League in 2017 in New Caledonia.

Hekari will take on New Zealand’s Team Wellington at QBE Stadium at 3.30pm (1.30pm PNG time) today for top honours in Group B.

The Papua New Guineans have emerged as one of the most impressive teams of the tournament after brushing aside AS Lössi and Suva with ease.

They sit on top of Group B with a strong 8-1 goal difference and a draw against Team Wellington will guarantee them a spot in the semis, which will start on Wednesday, April 20.

Dwellers lost to defending champions Auckland City 2-1 in a close encounter today.

The first half was tough as both teams failed to score which resulted in nil all at half time.

In the second half, the home team was the first to score 1-0 in the 65th minute through Daewok Kim.

Kim pops up to score his second goal of the tournament by tapping in from close range after a goalmouth scramble.

Dwellers leveled the score in the 85th minute through Raymond Gunemba who scored their first goal of the tournament.

While Hekari are a seasoned team at the Champions League, their opponents from New Caledonia are relatively new in the OFC arena.

Captain of the Hekari side, David Muta said that if the players fully believe in themselves and play to the best of their ability, Hekari will win all their games and go on to make the finals.

The match kicks off at 3:35pm (1:35pm PNG time).

Meanwhile, the Lae City Dwellers will play their first match against Amicale FC from Vanuatu on Sunday at 3:35pm (1:35pm).

The game will kick off at 3pm at the Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby.

This is Hekari’s 11th grand final match while Dwellers have done very well to reach the grand final stage in their first two seasons.

Dwellers team manager Peter Sesk said the Lae side is preparing well for this game.

“As minor premiers Hekari proved their worth and we as defending champions we are ready to play as champions and defend the title,” said Sesk.

Hekari team manager Vonnie Kappinato praised Dwellers for playing very well throughout the season.

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Team manager Vonnie Kapi Natto says discipline on and off the field is always top priority for the players and this has reflected in the results they have achieved so far in NSL.

Kapi Natto gave credit to the older star players including captain David Muta, Koriak Upaiga, Wira Wama and Ismael Pole.

She said these players have been down with injury from time to time during the season but have kept the team spirit in every match.

Hekari opened the scoring in the 21st minute through the boot of the ever relieable Koriak Upaiga.

Five minutes later, Upaiga got his second of the afternoon to put Hekari comfortably in front.

But FC Port Moresby retaliated not long after when a penalty kick from the side found Neil Hans who headed the ball into the nets.

Both sides continued on to the second half desperate for points.

Hekari began to tire towards the end of the game which allowed FC Port Moresby to press on for the equalizer.

It was the David and Goliath battle with Hekari the favourites to win.

A goal in the 16th minute of play to Hekari ' s Wira Wama put his side in front with all the momentum.

Hekari continued to ask questions, putting all the pressure on the Rapatona back line.

The score was 1-0 going into the break.

Rapatona equalized just after half time when Henry Ronny put one past the goal keeper in the 53rd minute.

Hekari takes on Huawei PS United FC this afternoon in the second match of the double header at 3pm in round five of the Southern Conference.

Leading the points ladder, Hekari is six points ahead of its rival Huawei and is hoping to gain another three points.

Erema is level  with PKA Rapatona FC on six points while fourth placed Huawei will need this win to move three points up the ladder but they can only hope Rapatona suffers defeat against Gigira Laitepo in the first match today.