Hekari imports from the Solomon Islands ran the show for Hekari in a convincing win that saw Hekari claiming the first final spot of the o-league last Saturday.
The visitors employed Alick Mamae, Henry Fa’arodo and Stanley Waeta in their frontline and banked on Gidoen Omokiro to keep the enemy from their goal mouth.
The strategy proved detrimental to Marist as the trio made an early raid into Marist’s goal mouth in the opening minute to signal that they will be unstoppable.
The initial threat forced Marist to retreat and resort to a lot of defense knowing that Hekari’s frontline combination was destructive.
Helari’s continuous onslaught paid off when Marist was one-man down in the 18th minute of play.
Marist’s Ace striker Abraham Iniga was taken off pitch earlier, on a stretcher after clashing with a Hedari defender.
A well placed ball from the right flank from when Hekari was defending the eastern end, found Waeta who hacked the ball, raided Marist’s left defense and hammered a cross ball that ended up on Maemae’s boot.
He drove a power shot up the cross bar and slammed on the roof of the net for Hekari’s opener.
Marist kept their hopes by searching for cracks in Hekari’s back wall but were resisted at all cost by Omokirio and his comrades.
Henry Fa’arodo collected the second goal for Hekari just couple of minutes after Maemae injected the first goal.
The two goals already stung Marist but Mr Cool nailed another goal to further diminish any hopes by Marist of catching up.
The third goal was a stunner.
Maemae collected a cross ball at the left flank, trot down the line to a difficult angle before unleashing the curved ball with his left boot that surprised the crowd when it fell into the net.
Hekari pulled their fourth goal before the break.
When the dust settle for the second stanza, so as Marist.
They settled, more organised and threatened Hekari several times but Omokirio kept them at bay.
Commins Menapi managed to offset the score margin with the only goal for Marist in the 85th minute.
Hekari Assistant coach Jerry Allan said their game plan paid off.
He expressed pleasure with the result.
Marist Coach Patrick Miniti said it was a disappointing result but Hekari played well.
Hekari will now play Waitakere in the O-league final.
By EDNAL PALMER
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