The ‘Men In Green’ fell to a 2-1 loss against Fijian side Lautoka in the opening round and are keen to get off the mark with a win tomorrow. But they face the daunting task of taking on defending champions Hekari United in the Papua New Guinea capital of Port Moresby.
Hekari play their home matches at PMRL Stadium and it is an arena that provides an intimidating atmosphere for visiting sides. Making Koloale’s aim of collecting three points even tougher is the fact that Hekari will also be desperate for a victory after likewise suffering a first-up defeat, a shock 2-1 loss against Vanuatu side Amicale.
Additionally, each of coach Tommy Mana’s charges are playing for a starting place at the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2010, a tournament that Hekari leave the Pacific to take part in not long after this O-League encounter.
Mana’s men meet hosts Al Wahda in the play-off for the quarter finals of the prestigious event on December 8 and the Koloale clash will be their most meaningful match before that all-important tie.
But Koloale boss Eke is confident his players will be up to the task of matching Hekari and spirits in the Honiara-based side appear high.
There have been concerns that star striker and captain Benjamin Totori has too much pressure on his slim shoulders but he has assured the public via local media that his team are focused on earning the result the fans are crying out for.
The Koloale supporters are pinning most of their hopes on Totori and fellow forwards Ezra Sale, Joses Nawo and Ian Paia to get the job done in Port Moresby after the talented quartet struggled to link up well in that disappointing loss to Lautoka.
The ‘Men In Green’ have already been handed a boost in the build-up to the game with the news that Hekari’s Solomon Islands defender Gideon Omokirio is likely to miss out on meeting his countrymen.
Omokirio is involved with the Solomon Islands beach soccer team and is taking part in a FIFA sub-regional beach soccer course in Tahiti.
But Eke knows Hekari have other defenders who can match the pace of the Koloale front men and the coaching staff feel Omokirio’s abscence will be well accounted for.
The match takes place at PMRL Stadium in Port Moresby on Saturday from 3pm local time.
The squads are as follows:
Hekari United: 1. Simione Moce TAMANISAU [GK], 3. Yuki STALPH, 6. Abraham INIGA, 7. Benjamin MELA, 9. Tuimasi MANUCA, 10. Osea VAKATALESAU, 11. Joachim WAROI, 12. David MUTA, 13. Andrew LEPANI, 14. Niel HANS, 16. Pita B. SENIBIAUKULA, 17. Kema JACK, 18. Ericson KOMENG, 19. Koriak UPAIGA, 20. Gure GABINA [GK], 21. Malakai TIWA, 25. Alvin SINGH, 26. David TARO, 27. Rex HONU, 28. Henry FA’ARODO.
Coach: Tommy MANA
Koloale: 16. Shadrock RAMONI [GK], 2. Welshman HOUKARAWARA, 3. Freddie KINI, 5. Samson TAKAYAMA, 6. George SURI, 7. Jeffrey BULE, 8. Steven SARU, 9. Benjamin TOTORI, 10. Ezra SALE, 11. Ian PAIA, 13. Lency SAENI, 15. Mostyn BEUI, 20. Felix RAY JR [GK], 23. Steven ANISI, 25. Francis LAFAI, 28. Joses NAWA.
Coach: Peter EKE