HONIARA – Honiara Football Association’s DJ League Premier Division commenced yesterday with the spoils shared in the opening match between 2007 runners up Uncles FC and Hana FC.
Uncles came into the match with the favourite’s tag and started off brightly with their typical short passes and one two’s but found it hard to break down a tough Hana defensive barricade.
It took them until the 34th minute of play before national Under 23 defender Hardis Aengari broke the deadlock when he was sent an overhead ball by maestro midfielder Judd Molea. He drew the Hana goalkeeper off his line, lobbed the ball over him before slamming it into the open goal.
Uncles however could not contain an enterprising Hana whose players were able to gel together in the second half and pushed forward in search of an equalizer.
It became obvious as the match wore on that players on both sides were tired. Despite of that, Hana kept up the pressure and were rewarded when Danny Rande slotted in the equalizer in the 87th minute of play.
Uncles defenders failed to clear a ball inside the six yards box and Rande grabbed the opportunity to find the back of the net and ensure his team leaves the field with a point in their opening fixture.
Meanwhile, Kossa will meet Sunbeam this afternoon but without their key striker James Naka who has joined another club Zome Mars for the current season.