Hekari Trounce Tupapa to Secure OFC Semi-final Spot

PNG’s high-flying Hekari United FC continued their dominance by thumping the Tupapa Maraerenga FC of Cook Islands with a resounding 9-0 victory to book a semi-final spot in the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Men’s Champions League on Sunday, April 6th, 2025, at the National Stadium in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

This will be Hekari’s first OFC appearance in the finals since they won the coveted trophy in 2010. Coach Jerry Allen led the red-army to championship glory in 2010 and 15 years later, the Solomon Islander will steer the club to the final phase of the O-League, aiming to redeem themselves with a title and start fresh in the inaugural Pro-League next year. 

Hekari kicked off their OFC campaign with all guns blazing and thrashed the Central Coast FC of Solomon Islands with a convincing 4-0 win on the first day of the tournament, drew against the Ifira Black Bird (1-1) of Vanuatu in the second match, and smashed the Maraerenga FC of Cook Islands with a comfortable 9-0 win in the final match of the pool games (Group B) to secure a semi-final berth.  

The match got to an intense start as both sides fought physically to find the back of the net. In the 19th minute, Brazilian import Lucas Santos struck the ball outside of the free-kick box to break the deadlock. Following the goal by Santos, Rex Naime picked up the brace (scored twice) in the 26th and 36th minutes respectively, and Nathaniel Eddie scored in the 39th minute, giving Hekari a 4-0 lead at the break.

Just one minute into the second half, Pala Paul bagged his first goal and opened the floodgates as the MRDC-sponsored franchise ran rings around the disjointed Cook Islanders. Nathaniel Eddied added his second goal, Joseph Joe joined the scoresheet through a penalty kick, Rex Naime snatched his hat-trick, and Pala Paul rounded off the match in style with a double to his name.  

The Semi-finals stage is set, with Hekari joining three other finalists - Vanuatu’s Ifira Black Bird, New Zealand’s Auckland City FC - and New Caledonia’s AS Tiga Sport. The Ifira Black Bird FC will kick off the semi-final proceedings against the Auckland City FC, followed by the Hekari United FC taking on the As Tiga Sport. The double-header semis will be played on Wednesday, April 9th, at the National Stadium in Honiara. 

PC: OFC Media