HONIARA —Papua New Guinea champion club Hekari Souths United beat Wantok Cup champions Solympics 4-2 on Friday and former Solomon Islands O-League rep Marist FC 4-1 on Saturday.
Seven out of the eight goals from Hekari were scored by Solomon Islanders now plying their trade with Hekari Souths Utd in Port Moresby.
Former Marist FC player Joachim Waroi was the toast for Hekari scoring a hatrick on Friday while his team mate and PNG native Eric Komeng scored one from a penalty.
On Saturday, Hekari outclassed Marist FC 4 -1 with all goals coming from the Solomon Islands’ recruits.
Marist defender and Bilikiki goal keeper Fred Hale provided their services on the request of Hekari management, joining five other Solomon Islands players who came with the team.
The friendly international match was purposely to build stronger ties between the two clubs and Hekari’s O’League preparation.
Within six minutes from start former Marist Striker, Joachim Waroi sent home his first, providing Hekari the lead by stretching his foot in and tapped it strongly past Marist’s goal keeper Navusu Kitu.
Dribbling past three Marist defenders, Waroi added his second12 minutes before the breather.
Benjamin Mela who came in for fellow Solomon Islander Brian Feni as midfield in the second spell proved invincible by setting a perfect ball for Abraham Iniga to put past a hapless Kitu, to increase Hekari’s tally.
But inside a minute of Iniga’s goal, Marist swiftly turned the match their way when Michael Misitana gave his team some light by slotting one of his own.
Following their goal an energetic Marist chased for another one as Hekari goals remained in drought.
Towards the end of the match, Mela made sure Hekari get the better of him, putting it to the right of Kitu one last time from Jack Samani’s cross.
The PNG Champions are leaving Honiara with the inaugural Friendship Trophy and SBD $2000 as the winning prize of the international friendly.
On Friday, just two hours after arrival from Port Moresby, Hekari dethroned Wantok Cup champions 4-2 at Lawson Tama.
A hatrick from Waroi and a penalty from Eric Komeng proved too much for the Luke Eroi’s side.
Ezra Sale scored a brace of goals, but the presence of five Solomon Islanders in the Hekari line up proved the difference.
Hekari captain Brian Tuhiana played well along with fellow defenders Korjak Upaiga and Cyril Muta on Friday.
Young Hekari keeper Gure Gabina also played well on Friday against the Solympics.
Another notable presence in the Hekari’s bench was coach Jerry Allen who is also a Solomon Islander and former Marist player.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the National PNG National Soccer League (NSL) and major sponsor of Hekari John Kapi Natto has confirmed the drafting of Marist defender Arnold Keni who will be replacing their injured defender and Solomon Islander Jacob Pekau.
Bilikiki beach soccer keeper Fred Hale will also be considered, awaiting confirmation from the Hekari management.
Hekari leaves for Australia today to play more warm up matches ahead of its O-League matches.
By Barney Devesi (Island Sun Newspaper)
Hekari Souths United players receive the Friendship Cup from PNG High Commissioner to Solomon Islands H.E Parai Tamei (white shirt)
Photo by Nason Bria (Island Sun Newspaper)