The Reds continue to set the benchmark for football in Papua New Guinea by once again dominating the 2015 Telikom National Soccer League suffering only one loss this season, a 2-1 hiccup against Besta United before they headed off to Fiji for the 2015 Fiji Airways OFC Champions League last month.
In a thrilling encounter, Hekari kept a brisk pace to out-play a determined Dwellers outfit, who came into the match following a great run of victories over the other four franchises.
Things didn’t go all go Hekari’s way with the team losing after losing Fijian Pita Bolatoga in the second half.
The Reds were first to get on the board with a Tanito Tutizama cross finding Tommy Semmy, who made no mistake from close range.
Hekari showed they are a class above the rest and despite Lae’s best efforts to counter the high intensity approach Jerry Allen’s charges added another goal through Wilson Gia who benfited from support play from Semmy.
The Dwellers kept the contest interesting with a 60th minute goal by in-form striker Nigel Dabinyaba.
Buoyed by that break Lae picked up their efforts and pressed for the equaliser and Hekari, although flustered at times, kept their cool to see off the challenge.
At 2-1 the game was proverbially anybody’s but Semmy featured in what was the game-breaking play with a drive down the left flank setting up substitute Emmanuel Airem for a header in the 70th minute.
A poker-faced Allen said he was pleased with the effort in winning the club’s 10th Minor Premiership title but indicated that the 2015 National League title is the goal.
“The boys have been together for quite a while and they know what its like to play this type of football and today was just an example of that,” Allen said.
“Winning the minor premiership again is a bonus for us but the title is our goal,” he said.
Lae City Dwellers coach Peter Gunemba was proud of his side’s effort reminding the press that his goal from the outset at the new franchise was for consistency and to gain experience from the semi-professional competition.
“I’m so proud of the players,” Gunemba said.
“We’ve achieved what we set out to do and coming second in our first year is something we are pleased with and can hold our heads up at achieving.”
In the earlier match FC Port Moresby secured their semi-final berth with a 2-1 win over Oro.
Port Moresby’s goals were scored by Basil Jofari in the 9th minute and Neil Hans in the 60th minute.
Oro’s only goal was scored by Theophillis Sergus in the 26th minute.
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