Hekari United FC’s attempt to represent the country at the OFC Champions League challenge in New Zealand fell short on the weekend after a classy Lae City FC sent the red outfits home with a narrow 2-1 victory.
The David-Muta-coached Hekari side looked lethal and more organized in the first part of the match dominating possession and rewarding themselves to an early lead with a goal right on the half time whistle off the boots of Obert Simon.
The visitors from Lae held on in the early part of the second half at PNG Football Stadium denying any more attempts from the in-form Hekari side, equally matching the upbeat ball play until substitute Mathew David inserted his teams first goal for the match to equalize the score line.
The match was down to the wire, as both teams displayed some quality football, playing their hearts out until David blasted his second to confirm their spot at the OFC challenge.
Lae City coach Bob Morris said the first half of the match was worrisome for him but he was confident of a come back in the other half and told the Lae boys to play the basics and that’s exactly what they displayed in the latter half to come home.
The Lae team will now focus on their campaign towards the OFC champions league come November in New Zealand.
