But they weren’t counting on former Hekari huntsman Jean Kaltack.
The young striker came on as a half-time substitute for Tafea when his side was already trailing by two goals. When the Papua New Guinea champions added a third via Alick Maemae in the 54th minute it appeared to be game over.
However, as any coach will attest, this is football and the game isn’t over until the final whistle has blown.
So when Tafea launched their comeback it was with drive and determination, and had Kaltack at the heart of it. The first strike was a blinder just after the hour marked which rattled the net behind Hekari’s Fijian gloveman Beniamino Mateinaqara. His second came in the 90th minute, and with two minutes additional time added to the half, it was an uncomfortable close for the Papua New Guinea side.
After the delight of watching his side rocket into the lead with an opening goal in the first minute, Hekari United chairman John Kappi Natto almost couldn’t believe his eyes when Kaltack started bringing his side back into the game.
“The first half was good and the boys did very well. But in the second half Jean Kaltack, who was one of our players last year, scored two goals and scared the daylights out of us,” Kappi Natto recounts.
“Knowing that we have got all the opportunity of getting the win, we came very close to losing it, but all in all it was a great opening match for us.”
Kappi Natto says credit has to go to Tafea for bringing themselves back into the game, and Kaltack in particular.
“He’s a very good player and I think if he would have come in earlier, it could have been trouble for our defenders. The guy is tall in his frame and unpredictable in his shooting,” he says.
Kappi Natto says people may consider Group C and easy ride, but his side’s opener alone is proof that no team is an easy walk.
“Our group is not easy, but people may says it is. You could see the quality of Team Wellington and Tefana and it was pretty good,” he concedes.
The club chairman says his side is developing strong chemistry and that should help them to progress in the 2015 Fiji Airways OFC Champions League.
“I think in the first half it was excellent: the confidence was there, the chemistry was there and the players blended well together.
“Into the second half I think maybe complacency, maybe being too relaxed tended to creep in. It’s the first match and I think with the blending and the chemistry tehy held on and the victory came to us.
“I think we got let off lightly and I think Wednesday with Team Wellington – I’d call that the grand final of the pool as the winner will go ahead.”
Hekari United play their next match in the 2015 Fiji Airways OFC Champions League against Team Wellington at 4.30pm on Wednesday 15 April at ANZ Stadium, Suva.

Share