Super sub saves Blues in Port Moresby November 07, 2009
Super sub Apisai Smith proved to be the hero for the Shop and Save Lautoka Blues in Port Moresby this afternoon after his strike midway in the second spell gave the Fijian club its second consecutive victory in the Oceania League.
A tactical change by coach Imdad Ali to send in the lanky Namosi man upfront paid dividends as he barged onto a Shalesh Kumar free kick to find the back of the net giving Hekari goalie Gure Gabina flat footed.
The win sees the Blues in top spot in Group B of Oceania’s version of the Champions League.
The match started on a fast pace at the Rugby League oval with strong breeze making it difficult at times for the two sides to control possession.
The hosts backed by local fans dominated possession early in the match but missed golden chances at goal with strikers Tuimasi Manuca and Joachim Waroi shooting wide.
A foul by Nahuel Arrarte in the 27th minute of play saw Solomon Islands referee John Saohu pointing to the penalty spot, giving Hekari the chance to open the scoring in the match.
Kema Jack made no mistake with his attempt to score the lone goal of the evenly contested first half.
A stern pep talk by team management and the assistance of the breeze saw the Blues go all out in attack.
Bad boy Valerio Nawatu who just returned from suspension got the equalizer for the Sugar City boys in the 50th minute after connecting well with a Kamal Hassan cross and heading the ball into the roof of the net.
He was later substituted by Smith who also proved his worth upfront and clicked well with the rest of the attackers.
New Zealand based former Navua midfielder Salesh Kumar displayed the man of the match performance and combined with Nahuel Arrarte and veteran Keni Doidoi to orchestra the Lautoka engine room well.
Solomon Islands striker Joachim Waroi had the best chance to equalize for Hekari in the dying minutes of the match but his header which was misjudged by Lautoka goalkeeper James Chronpolous went off the left post.
Lautoka plays its third match in the O League at home on November 29 against Tafea FC of Vanuatu. The teams:
Hekari United FC: 3. Tagaya LEPANI, 4. Cyril MUTA, 5. Brian TUHIANA, 7. Benjamin MELA, 8. Michael FOSTER, 9. Tuimasi MANUCA, 11. Joachim WAROI, 12. David MUTA, 13. Andrew LEPANI, 15. Charles PARANDA, 17. Kema JACK, 18. Eric KOMENG, 20. Gure GABINA [GK], 23. Samuel KINI, 24. Kluivert DAGI, 27. Desmond WALUKA [GK], 30. Pita BALEITOGA Coach: Jerry ALLEN [SOL]
News on
RSS 
