Hekari edge Dwellers to snatch Minor Premiership

Photo Credit: PNG Football Association

The Hekari United FC pulled off a 2-1 victory over the Lae City Dwellers to claim the 2023 Premier Soccer League Minor Premiership on Saturday, October 28, at PNG Football Stadium in Port Moresby.

The Dwellers put up a gutsy fight, making Hekari work extra hard to earn the win, as clearly shown by the narrow margin. Both teams competed fiercely and ended the match in a nail-biter.

Hekari led the contest 1-0 after a brutal encounter in the first half. Goals came begging for the hosts and visitors alike, but they failed to turn those goal-scoring opportunities into points.

The arm wrestle and tenacity to compete continued into the second half. There were some flashes of brilliance being displayed by both sides. The dribbling maneuver, passing skills and general ball playing prowess for the two teams were mesmerizing to watch.

Although the Dwellers finally found the net in the dying minutes, time was not on their side. Hekari managed to put the game beyond doubt, winning Dwellers 2-1 to walk away with the 2023 Premier Soccer League Minor Premiership trophy.

Last season’s runners-up (Hekari) started their 2023 campaign poorly, going down to the Port Moresby Strikers with a 1-0 loss in the opener. Since then, Hekari have regrouped and bounced back into the winner’s circle, registering 12 wins and a draw, and sitting comfortably on top of the ladder the entire season.

After that disappointing loss to the Strikers in round 1, Hekari showed no signs of slowing down in the ensuing rounds. They shifted from 1st to 5th gear and maintained the momentum to the regular end of the season, finally bagging the Minor Championship title.

The red-army have ended the regular rounds on a positive note with a Minor Premiership trophy

and are looking forward to maintaining that mojo in the playoffs.

Although finals atmosphere will be different, it is a familiar territory for the Kutubu franchise, as they have been competing in the biggest arena every season.