The crucial first-leg final kicks off at 3:00pm on Saturday at PMRL Stadium in Port Moresby with both teams looking to take an advantage into the return leg at Fred Taylor Park in Waitakere on Sunday 2 May. With a place at the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2010 on offer, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
The two finalists have never met but Hekari’s imported players from the Solomon Islands and Fijian Tuimasi Manuca will be familiar with Waitakere’s style of play having featured in the 2007 and 2008 finals. On both occasions, Waitakere claimed the overall title but lost the first-leg away final in Honiara and Ba respectively.
Player-coach Neil Emblen says they have learned from those experiences and made changes accordingly.
“For the Solomon Islands trip last time we got there early but I think players ended up getting restless. So this time around we’re not leaving until Friday. We’ll still have the chance to have a training session at match time when we arrive so we know what we’re in for the following day,” says Emblen.
Temperatures are expected to reach 30 degrees Celsius which Emblem says will no doubt influence the way his side plays.
“We’ve set out a game plan that will be quite different to what we’ve been playing in the NZFC. Normally we try to set a high tempo and we play a very attacking style. But the game this weekend will be about conserving energy. We can’t play the same way as we do in good temperatures here in New Zealand.”
Emblen believes the key for his side will be shutting down playmakers Henry Fa’arodo and Alick Maemae.
“Fa’arodo and Maemae are the two players that jump up out at you. They’ve both played in the NZFC and they create a lot of problems for the teams they play against so we’ve got to make sure they don’t have time and space.
“We know Stanley Waita has also played in the NZFC and they’ve got a couple of Fijians we know a little bit about. So they’ve got a lot of imported players and they’re doing a good job.”
As Papua New Guinea’s first club side to make an O-League Final, Hekari will be looking to make a big impression this Saturday.
Manageress Vonnie Eteaki Natto says the players are in good spirits after a string of good results in the domestic competition.
“We have qualified for next weekend’s Grand Final of the National Soccer League so the confidence levels are high. But our focus now is on the O-League final and we’ve worked very very hard to prepare for this weekend.”
Assistant coach Tommy Mana says the home advantage will be crucial.
“It’s so important we win this game because the second leg will be difficult,” says Mana.
“We know the experience that Waitakere have and with players like Benjamin Totori, Roy Krishna and Martin Bullock, they will be a tough team.”
Mana and coach Jerry Allen – both Solomon Islanders – have been influential in recruiting six compatriots into the squad plus two Fijian imports to add to the burgeoning crop of local talent such as David Muta and Kema Jack.
Both sides have reported no major injury concerns while the visitors will be without Jake Butler who is out through suspension.
For full schedule and results click here
2010 O-LEAGUE FINAL PREVIEW – 1st LEG
This is the official preview for the 2010 O-League 1st Leg Final. Please note squads are subject to change.
Hekari United FC [PNG] vs. Waitakere United [NZL]
Saturday 17 April 2010
PMRL Stadium
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Local kick-off: 15H00
Referee: Gerard PARSONS [AUS]
Assistant Referee 1: Alex GLASGOW [AUS]
Assistant Referee 2: Murray WILSON [AUS]
Fourth Official: John SAOHU [SOL]
Hekari United FC: 1. Godfrey BANIAU [GK], 2. Gideon OMOKIRIO, 4. Cyril MUTA, 5. Brian TUHIANA, 7. Benjamin MELA, 8. Michael FOSTER, 9. Tuimasi MANUCA, 12. David MUTA, 13. Andrew LEPANI, 16. Pita BOLATONGA, 17. Kema JACK, 18. Eric KOMENG, 19. Koriak UPAIGA, 20. Gure GABINA [GK], 23. Samuel KINI, 25. Stanley WAITA, 26. Alick MAEMAE, 28. Henry FA’ARODO.
Coach: Jerry ALLEN [SOL]
Waitakere United: 1. Danny ROBINSON [GK], 2. Jason ROWLEY, 3. Aaron SCOTT, 4. Tim MYERS, 7. Martin BULLOCK, 8. Brent FISHER, 9. Benjamin TOTORI, 10. Allan PEARCE, 11. Neil SYKES, 12. Roy KRISHNA, 13. Dimas DA SILVA, 16. Neil EMBLEN, 18. Zane SOLE, 19. Dakota LUCAS, 20. Ryan DE VRIES, 21. Jack PELTER, 22. Liam LITTLE [GK], 27. Paul SEAMAN.
Coach: Neil EMBLEN [ENG]