By SAMPSON BONAI
THE Papua New Guinea Under 23 men soccer players have started their training at PNGFA Academy in Lae under the watchful eyes of coach George Cowie.
And the coach is satisfied with the players’ commitment to training so far.
“I’m pleased with their attendance at training in the past few days as they have coped very well with my training program,” Cowies said yesterday.
“We will play a trial game against the NSL franchise team Tuguba Laitepo Morobe Kumuls at PNGFA Academy today to find our strength and weaknesses and the areas that we need to improve on during our training before I announce the final team,” he added.
“Seven of the players from NSL franchise team Morobe Kumuls are in the Under 23 training camp and will be playing against their team mates today and be exposed to full 90 minutes of tough football. I will assess their performance before making a final announcement.”
The national U23 coach said that NSL soccer competition has made a significant impact on the overall standard and the development of soccer in PNG as many U23 players have been drawn from the semi professional competition.
Cowie stressed that they needed a good administrative team to work manage their affairs if they were to accomplish their dreams and aspirations of becoming a top soccer playing nation in the Pacific.