Koloale register third defeat

Koloale have slumped to their third defeat of the 2012 O-League season after they were thumped 3-1 by former champions Hekari United in Port Moresby this afternoon.

Koloale are experiencing a deja vu of their 2011 campaign The win takes Hekari to four points from their three Group B matches, second equal with Vanuatu’s Amicale who have a game in hand as they prepare to face group leaders Auckland City on 18 January to round out Match Day 3. Koloale meanwhile are left reeling after three straight defeats and look unlikely to emulate their efforts from three seasons ago when they reached the final. In a match that had been rescheduled from last weekend, Hekari got off to a flyer as Taniela Waqa put his side ahead in the 6th minute after reacting first to a rebound. The 2010 O-League champions kept up the attack with Andrew Lepani heading home 10 minutes later to make it 2-0 and give the 6,000 local fans something to cheer about. Kema Jack had a number of chances to extend the lead before half-time but the typically composed striker failed to convert and was replaced by Raymond Gunemba on 43 minutes. The home side settled well in the second half and had breathing space after 79 minutes when Fijian import Pita Bolatoga made it 3-0. Solomon Islands international and beach soccer star James Naka pulled one back three minutes later but it was too little too late for the visitors. Hekari coach Jerry Allen was pleased to pick up their first win of the O-League season.  “It was good to play at home after two away matches and we got the result we needed. Our game plan was to attack early and we stuck to that, scoring two quick goals. Overall I’m really happy with how the boys played,” said Allen. Hekari will enjoy two more home matches in the new year welcoming Amicale and Auckland City in February and March respectively before the return leg to Solomon Islands in their final Group B match. The road for Koloale gets even tougher as they ready themselves for an away trip to Auckland City on 18 February before hosting Amicale and Hekari. Source: SIFF