Hekari United pulled off a stunning victory over more experienced opponents Lae City in the Papua New Guinea capital of Port Moresby, securing their spot in the OFC Champions League group stage. At Sir John Guise Stadium, the young squad of Hekari put on an impressive display, winning 2-0 thanks to goals from midfielder Yagi Yasasa and striker Joseph Joe.
Both sides had their chances throughout the game, but it was Hekari who managed to convert theirs into goals. In the late minutes of the second half, Yasasa and Joe scored the winning goals for the Port Moresby-based side, much to the delight of their fans in the stadium.
The win is a significant achievement for Hekari United, who eliminated Lae City FC, the national champions, from the OFC Champions League. Hekari United won the OFC Champions League back in the 2009/10 season, and they will undoubtedly be looking to replicate that success in the 2023 edition of the tournament.
Despite being the more experienced team, Lae City FC lost both legs of the match, with Hekari United winning the first leg 2-1. The result seems to be devastating to the Morebeans that expected once again to take part of the OFC Champions League group stage after winning seven-titles in a row of the PNG National Soccer League.
Hekari United’s victory over Lae City means a lot for the team and its fans as they take revenge of the last national league grand final match that Lae City won in the penalty shootout. The young squad of Hekari led by the Kapuls defender Daniel Joe showed that they have what it takes to compete at the highest levels of regional football, and their place in the OFC Champions League group stage is well-deserved. With the tournament still to come, Hekari will undoubtedly be looking to build on their success and make a mark on the international football scene one more time.
Oceania Football Center 