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Hekari NSL minor premiers
By BURI GABI
 The team with the minor premiership shield after securing the title yesterday. Picture by GEVOKILA ALFRED REIGNING champions Hekari Souths yesterday claimed the minor premiership shield in the Telikom National Soccer League after beating Eastern Stars 3-0 in one of the three games played in Port Moresby. Next week is the last round of games but Hekari on 33 points are clear leaders with closest rival Esi Loan University still on 25 points following their shock 2-0 loss to Welgris Highlanders. CMSS Tiger Rapatona edged out Gigira Laitepo Morobe FC 2-0 in the other game to push up to 21 ahead of Highlanders who are on 19 points. Eastern Stars didn’t do their finals aspirations any favours when they crashed yesterday and have a mountain of work to do next week to get back into contention for a top four spot. It was another stunning performance by the Hekari’s Fiji import Lorima Dau, who has proved to be a valuable buy, with inform defender Brian Tuhiana not far behind with his efforts. Dau was outstanding in defence making sure his opponents found it hard to score goals. He was a nightmare to Stars strikers Gary Moka, Tua Maso and Kialou Pourou as their game plan fell apart. Souths were first to score when striker Eric Komeng was found unmarked in the first 20 minutes as he slammed home the opener. At the 30th minute mark Stars had the opportunity to equalize when Tua Maso sent a well-placed kick to Moka whose shot was unfortunately off target. Moka squandered a few more opportunities in the match as Dau kept the heat on him. Hekari with their open style of football and good ball movement resulted in lightning striker Kema Jack sending another one home for a 2-0 lead. Stars striker Adrian Komu, Tua Maso, and Adolf Oris also had their efforts thwarted by solid defence from Dau, Abraham Iniga and Komeng as they went to the half-time break leading 2-0. David Muta made great contributions throughout the match coordinating play with Abraham Enoch, Joachim Waroi, Andrew Lepani, Jack equally prominent in attack. Waroi continued his scoring spree in the competition when dribbled the ball away from approaching defenders and easily scored the third goal for his side at the 75th minute. Stars’ replacement striker Bomana Moda came off the bench in the second half hoping to turn the tide around but again committed defence from Hekari kept him at bay. |
SPORTS
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