History has been made in Papua New Guinea, as Port Moresby club Hekari United FC have become the first Pacific Islands team to qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup.
Hekari United have claimed the Oceania Football Confederation Champions League title, after defeating New Zealand club Waitakere United 4-2 on aggregate in the final.
After winning the home leg 3-0, Hekari travelled to New Zealand for the second leg in the box seat. Although they were defeated 2-1 in the second leg, the team had done enough to win on aggregate and become the first Pacific Islands team to claim the O-League title.
In the previous three years, the competition has been dominated by clubs from New Zealand. Waitakere United won in 2007 and 2008, and Auckland City claimed the title in 2009.
Hekari’s triumph has earned them a place in the FIFA Club World Cup to be played in Dubai later this year, where they will take on the cream of world club football – perhaps even European giants Inter Milan or Bayern Munich, who meet in the UEFA Champions League final this month.
Hekari United possess a close connection with the Hyundai Queensland State League.
Current QSL leaders, the Sunshine Coast Fire, are a sister club to Hekari United. David Muta and Kema Jack, who were instrumental in Hekari’s march to victory, played for the Sunshine Coast in the inaugural season of the Hyundai QSL.
Muta captained the Hekari side to O-League victory, and it was Jack who scored from the penalty spot in the second leg of the final to provide the team with a vital away goal and all but guarantee their victory. Jack set the team well on its way in the first leg, picking up a brace as the team raced to a 3-0 lead.
Franchise owner John Kapi-Natto thanked the Sunshine Coast Fire for helping to develop the “courage and confidence” of Muta and Jack.
Both Muta and fellow Hekari United player Joachim Waroi are expected to play for the Sunshine Coast Fire later this season, once their commitments with Hekari are completed.
And it is not just honour and admiration that Hekari United have won with their latest triumph; the club has also earned a significant payday. At least $500,000 in prize-money is the team’s reward for qualifying for the FIFA Club World Cup, to be played in December.
When December comes and Hekari United run out to represent the Pacific Islands on the world stage, the local football world will no doubt be watching closely.
