HEKARI SOUTHS CLAIM MINOR PREMIERSHIP TITLE

PORT MORESBY – Hekari Souths United have completed the Port Moresby Soccer Association season in top spot six points clear of fellow National Soccer League (NSL) rivals Rapatona after the two NSL giants battled out a tense 0-0 draw last week in a sneak preview of this summer’s NSL Telikom Cup.

The performance of the two clubs in the local Port Moresby competition illustrated the gulf in quality between the local association clubs and the NSL teams competing in the third edition of the Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) showpeice competition.

Souths United’s striker Kema Jack (pictured) – who returned from Australia two weeks ago – partnered with Hekari’s new Solomon Islander international recruit Joachim Waroi in the frontline while midfielder Enoch Abraham and Andrew Lepani controlled the engine room with wide midfielders Fabian Bagi and Michael Foster causing Rapatona problems.

Rapatona defenders Russell Inai, Richard Pono and David Aro put in morale-boosting performances in a tough tussle with Waroi and Jack, who have both struck fear into the hearts of teams in Australia and Solomon Islands, and are both favoured to cause a stir in the NSL and O-League competitions this season.

Midfielder, Lanky Pono, caught the eye for Rapatona with some tireless box-to-box running for his team.

The best chance of the match fell to Rapatona midfielder Lawrence Diau, who weaved his way through the Hekari Souths defence but saw goalkeeper Gure Gabina pull off a lightening reaction save to deny him a goal.

John Davani-coached University shrugged off a strong challenge from Cosmos to win 1-0.

On Saturday, Papua New Guinea international striker, Tau Winnie, and Verave team-mate, Geno Leana, scored five goals between them to help Verave beat Momase 5-0.

Winnie scored four goals, while Leana bagged the other to put Verave out of reach against the Gerehu-based team.

The Lua Vagi-coached Maclaren FC stung PS Rutz 3-0, while the clash of the cellar dwellers between LBC Defence FC and Markham Yarang FC was postponed.

Port Moresby Soccer Association Premier Division

Final Standings