Underdogs Hekari are here to win

Abu Dhabi: Hekari United, a virtually unknown club from Papua New Guinea, have already stunned fancied clubs from Australia and New Zealand to qualify for the 2010 Fifa World Cup and they have no plans to stop winning as they look to topple UAE's champion club, Al Wahda.

The Port Moresby-based club, the first team from outside Australia or New Zealand to be crowned Oceania champions, sounded confident as their assistant coach Tommy Mana and skipper Andrew Lepani addressed a press conference along with their Al Wahda counterparts.

"Last year we watched our Oceania Group champions Auckland City FC finish 5th here in the Club World Cup. We were also proud as we watched New Zealand play in the World Cup in South Africa. Now it is our turn," said the United skipper.

"We are representing Oceania Group and it is up to us to take it a step further. Millions will be watching us play," said Lepani.

Hekari United travelled to Qatar and spent a few days there before coming to the UAE and take on Al Wahda in the opening match on Wednesday.

Settling well

Assistant coach Mana said: "We are settling well, have been here for a week. We first travelled to Qatar, played a match there. Like all [teams] we are here to win."

Skipper Lepani heaped praise on teammate Kema Jack, who was a fisherman before joining the club, "He has progressed into a fine footballer."