Welcome to the Port Moresby Rugby League Stadium in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea where locals are about to witness their first O-League fixture on their own shores.
Cloudy skies and a light breeze welcome the visiting side – Ba, from Fiji – with a temperature well into the 30’s nothing unusual for either party.
www.oceaniafootball.com will endeavour to bring you ‘live’ text updates from the venue, which can be followed by simply refreshing your browser.
0′ – a significant crowd of 5-6,000 is building in anticipation of today’s clash, showcasing the popularity of football in Papua New Guinea
1′ – GOAL!
The match is off to a frantic start, with 9. Abraham INIGA capitalising on confusion in the goal box to put the home side ahead
6′ – GOAL!
Ba equalise through a powerful drive from 30. Osea VAKATALESAU
8′ – the match is maintaining a frenetic pace, with both sides sensing plenty of goals are on offer today
17′ – Hekari are starting to dominate, with a passionate home crowd behind them
18′ – David MUTA, fresh from an appearance with the Oceania All Stars, is pulling the strings in midfield for Hekari with some impressive distribution on show
24′ – Malakai TIWA has been uncharacteristically ineffective, and seems to be carrying an injury
29′ – 11. Alvin SINGH receives a card for a foul on the edge of the Ba penalty area
30′ – Jack SAMANI’s resulting free kick is high and wide of the goal
31′ – Kema JACK has a shot from distance, but clears the bar comfortably
35′ – Ba goalkeeper Jone SOROLO is solid from consecutive corners, retaining parity on the scoresheet
36′ – Alvin SINGH swings a corner over for Ba this time, but it is collected and held well by Fred HALE
43′ – heading into half-time, the match has not been short of chances
45′ – Avinesh SUWAMY swings over a dangerous cross which HALE can not secure, providing VAKATALESAU with an opportunity which is cleared off the line by a desperate Brian TUHIANA
HALF TIME: HEK 1 BA 1
46′ – the second half is underway, with Hekari making a surprising substitution by replacing 12. David MUTA with 11. Joachim WAROI
55′ – after half time both teams have emerged far more cautious, with Hekari looking for their first points and Ba wanting to take at least something home with them
61′ – 18. Ericson KOMENG takes the field in place of 13. Andrew LEPANI
63′ – Ba replace goalscorer 30. Osea VAKATALESAU with 13. Maciu DUNADAMU
77′ – Dunadamu’s injection has been a masterstroke from Yogendra Dutt, with many telling runs keeping Hekari on their toes
84′ – PENALTY!
13. Andrew LEPANI receives a yellow card for a reckless challenge on his opposite number 13. Maciu DUNADAMU, who slots the penalty
— 3 minutes added time —
90’+2 – 12. Pita BALEITOGA receives a yellow card for predictable time-wasting
90’+4 – the referee blows for full time, and Hekari players fall to the ground in exhaustion after running O-League mainstays Ba so close
FULL TIME: HEK 1 BA 2
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2009 O-LEAGUE
GROUP B
Saturday, 13 December 2008
Hekari Souths United FC [PNG] 1 (Iniga)
Ba [FIJ] 2 (Vakatalesau, Dunadamu)
Port Moresby Rugby League Stadium
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Kick Off: 15H00 (Local Time) 17H00 (FIJ T)
—
HEK: 1. Fred HALE [gk]; 4. Cyril MUTA; 5. Brian TUHIANA; 7. Benjamin MELA; 9. Abraham INIGA; 12. David MUTA (11. Joachim WAROI 46′); 13. Andrew LEPANI [c] (18. Ericson KOMENG 61′); 14. Jack SAMANI; 17. Kema JACK; 19. Koriak UPAIGA; 22. Lorima DAU.
Substitutes not used: 2. Tagaya LEPANI; 3. Hamson DANIEL; 8. Michael FOSTER; 20. Gure GABINA [gk]; 21. Brian FENI.
Not Eligible: 6. Jacob PEKAU; 10. Abraham ENOCH; 15. Charles PARANDA; 16. Lawrence MOSES; 23. Fabian BAGI; 24. Brian NAKI; 25. Tonga ESIRA; 26. Thomas JOE; 30. Leslie KALAI.
Goalscorers: 9. Abraham INIGA (1′)
Coach: Patrick MNITI (SOL)
—
BA: 1. Jone SOROLO [gk]; 2. Avinesh SUWAMY; 3. Shalen LAL; 5. Ronil KUMAR; 6. Jone VESIKULA [c]; 9. Josaia BUKALIDI; 11. Alvin SINGH; 12. Pita BALEITOGA; 16. Malakai TIWA; 29. Peni FINAU; 30. Osea VAKATALESAU (13. Maciu DUNADAMU 63′).
Substitutes not used: 4. Maueli KALOU; 7. Tuimasi MANUCA; 10. Ronald LAWRENCE; 22. Kiniviliame TURAGALAILAI; 24. Rinal PRASAD; 26. Joshua WILSON.
Not Eligible: 8. Keni DOIDOI; 14. Seimata CHILIA; 15. Mavileko NAKAMA; 17. Malakai KAINIHEWE; 18. Petero DAUNISEKA; 19. Shameel RAO; 20. Epeli CODRO [gk]; 21. Nicholas LAWRENCE [gk]; 23. Aisea CODRO; 25. Krishna SAMI; 27. Josefata NAIBULI; 28. Taniela WAQA.
Cautions: 11. Alvin SINGH (29′)
Goalscorers: 30. Osea VAKATALESAU; 13. Maciu DUNADAMU.
Coach: Yogendra DUTT (FIJ)
—
Referee: Chris BEATH [AUS]
Assistant Referee 1: Brad HOBSON [AUS]
Assistant Referee 2: Ashley BEECHAM [AUS]
Fourth Official: Job Ponis MINAN [PNG]
Referees Assessor: Pius LETENGE [PNG]
OFC Coordinator: Edward TAULOI [PNG]
Group B Standings:
| PL | W | D | L | GF | GA | PTS | GD | ||
| 1. | Koloale FC | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 | +2 |
| 2. | Ba* | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | +1 |
| 3. | Hekari Souths United FC* | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 0 | -3 |