MRDC Hekari United FC

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.

"This competition means a lot to me," he says.

"We get to play against most of the best players in the Pacific. It's always a good challenge and I look forward to playing in this competition."

Since winning the competition in 2010 and representing Oceania at the FIFA Club World Cup, the side has been undergoing a rebuilding period.

This year after winning their first two matches at QBE Stadium in Auckland, Hekari United looked on track to make the semi-finals for the first time in a long time.

Playing under chilly weather conditions, which the Wellington players are used to, Hekari have struggled in the first half with few opportunities.

Tommy Semmy had a half chance for Hekari three minutes into the game but his volley was blocked by the Wellington defence.

Wellington’s first goal came 21 minutes into the game 1-0 when Tom Jackson fired a low cross into the box that Captain Bill Robertson turned into the top corner.

Happy 80th birthday Sir Michael Thomas Somare!

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People have already converged to the Sir Michael Somare stadium for Sir Michael Somare's 80th birthday party.

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They defeated AS Lössi of New Caledonia 5-1 today in the opener at QBE Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand.

The PNG side wasted no time in taking the lead scoring in the first two minutes of the game through Joses Nawo who smashed a low shot that went across goal and into the far corner of the net.

Their second goal came in the 9th minute doubling the lead 2-0 through Tommy Semmy.

Lossi fought back to score 21 minutes later 2-1 through Dick Kauma who headed the ball into the net.

Hekari wasted no time in taking the lead scoring in the first two minutes of the game through Joses Nawo who smashed a low shot that went across goal and into the far corner of the net.

Their second goal came in the 9th minute doubling the lead 2-0 through Tommy Semmy.

AS Lossi fought back to score 21 minutes later through Dick Kauma who headed the ball into the net.

Hekari’s Wira Wama scored the third goal in an early contender for goal of the tournament, sweetly meeting a Semmy cross to volley home a spectacular strike taking the score up 3-1 at half time.

The match will take place at QBE Stadium Auckland, New Zealand this afternoon.

The 2010 champions failed to progress to the semis last year after finishing second behind Team Wellington in their group.

Hekari is placed in Group B alongside Team Wellington (NZL), Suva FA (FIJ) and AS Lossi (NCL).

David Muta is one of the most experienced players in this side and a born leader.

The captain is a rock in the centre of the park, halting attacks while also proving a constant attacking threat himself.

Participants arrive for APEC transportation meeting

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Participants from the Asia Pacific Region have arrived in Port Moresby for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meet.

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The competition will be held in Auckland and Wellington from April 8-23, 2016.

The 25-men squad traveled to New Zealand via Brisbane and will have a few days’ preparation before their first match.

The team consists of national representatives Ismael Pole, Leslie Kalai, Felix Komolong, Sammy Cambell, Daniel Joe, Koriak Upaiga, Jeremy Yasasa, Otto Kusunan, Emmanuel Simon, David Muta, Wira Wama, Papalau Awele and Tommy Semmy. 

Hekari is placed in Group B alongside Team Wellington (NZL), Suva FA (FIJ) and AS Lossi (NCL).

The PNG team boasts 12 players from Hekari, six from Lae City Dwellers, three each from Rapatona FC and FC Port Moresby and one from Welgris Morobe United FC.

Regulars David Muta and Koriak Upaiga from Hekari and Michael Foster, Raymond Gunemba and Nigel Dabinyaba from Dwellers will make a good team despite being rivals in the PNG National Soccer League.

The players have been called in for a three day camp in Port Moresby starting today.

The final preparation will be in Port Moresby a week before the event with the first match against New Caledonia on May 28.