Hekari thumped Koloale to keep their championship hope alive

The high-flying Hekari United FC have put on a masterclass performance with a convincing 5-0

victory over the Koloale FC of Solomon Islands to keep their championship hope alive in the

Inaugural OFC Women’s Champions League at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium yesterday afternoon (June 8 th , 2023).

Both teams were going up against each other in the first 39 minutes of the contest. Goal scoring

opportunities were created, but no team managed to find the net. However, right on the stroke of

half-time, Hekari’s captain, Marie Kaipu set the game alight with a stunning individual goal and gave the host nation a 1-0 lead at the break.

It did not take long for Hekari to score in the second half, as they went to the pitch with high

intensity and scored their second goal through Michaelyn Butubu in the 48 th minute.

After that goal by Butubu, the game lacked any rhythm for the next 20 minutes. However, in the 64 th minute, Hekari gained ascendency and scored their third goal through Kaipu, who bagged her second goal.

Koloale tried to counter-attack and swing the momentum in their favor, but Hekari’s solid defence

kept on turning them away.

With enormous ball possession and field territory for the home side, Koloale’s defence started to

dismantle. Hekari took advantage of the Solomon Islanders’ weak defence and scored their 4 th goal through Ramona Padio in the 74 th minute.

The red army maintained the momentum in the next 16 minutes and scored their final goal in the

90 th minute through Christable Maneo and put the visitors to sleep.

The double-header on Saturday will see the Koloale FC of Solomon Islands taking on the AS Academy of New Caledonia in the first match, while Hekari United FC will go head-to-head against the Labasa FC of Fiji in the afternoon to wrap up the tournament.

The Champions of the 2023 Inaugural Oceania Football Confederation Women’s Champions League will be crowned on Saturday. May the best team walk away with the title on Saturday, June 10 th , 2023.

Photo Credit: Oceania Football Confederation