Hekari FC now has the biggest challenges for this year’s NSL challenge if they were to defend the title since its inception few years back.
The entire match has been played with Lae FC dominated all aspects of the game with a tremendous football that all Lae based teams have been lacking for a while, in front of a vocal crowd.
First half was filled with excitement as the boys from Lae could have scored four easy goals through strikers Emmanuel Yawi and Clement Peka but that was all denied by the reliable Hekari goal-keeper Leslie Kalai.
Most of the opportunities were created by the left-footer flanker Henry Ronny who also has few one-on-one chances with the goal-keeper but most of the balls were seen going above the crossbar.
Most talked about player of the match were Lae FC mid-fielders Emmanuel Simon and Kohu Liem as their combination really threatened Hekari defenders with their well-timed settings only to see strikers not utilizing it.
FC traffickers which many people were labeling them, cause upset to their rivals David Muta and Niel Hans who could not get much touches of the ball.
Lae FC back-liners Carlos Peka. Moses Kamaken, Agi Moses and Goroba Tawa consistently denied Hekari forwards from penetrating through their yards with almost all lose balls being sent back to Hekari’s penalty box with long through balls. Most Lae FC went home smiling after the final whistle.
A delighted Lae FC coach Peter Gunemba said the players have really step-up for this much anticipated match and have really perform well.
“I could not believe the performance of the boys and the kind of football they have displayed today, which I want to give the credit to them all, especially the midfielders Simon and Kohu who have really executed the game plan expected.
Gunemba said the results is a morale booster and a stepping stone for the players to dwell for the remaining matches.
Meanwhile, in the double header played over in Lae see Besta PNG United FC upsetting Eastern Stars with 4-0 while Oro FC beat Gigira Laitepo 2-0 at the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium.