| Sports |
PNG women thrash American Samoa 6-0
By HENRY MORABANG in Apia,
Samoa.
PAPUA New Guinea
women’s soccer team yesterday got Team PNG to a flying start
after thrashing American Samoa 6-0 at the Toleafoa Sepp Blatter
Football Stadium at Faleata, in Apia, Samoa.
The Francis Moiyap-coached team never looked threatened from the
start of the whistle to finish. In fact, PNG goalkeeper Roxan
Komeng touched the ball only five times, from her own players.
After missing 12 easy chances the PNG girls finally scored in
the 30th minute through striker Priscilla Konalali from a good
ball from Deslyn Siniu.
Siniu finally got one to her name after missing six easy
attempts to extend the lead to 2-0 before Tracy Kig booted a
penalty to make it 3-0.
Kig’s penalty came from a foul by American Samoa fullback who
brought down Lydia Barnabas in the 18-yard box.
Cheered on by the PNG rugby union boys, the women touch and the
medical team, the PNG ladies played strongly to defend their 3-0
lead to half time.
At the resumption of the second half, captain Julie Alau, who
played a good captain’s role in the midfield, contributed a goal
by setting up Barnabas to extend the lead with an header.
Goroka striker Ara Midi, who came in for Konalali, scored one
goal while another went to replacement Margaret Aka to put the
icing on the cake after a good header for the final scoreline of
6-0.
American Samoa who fielded mostly Under 21 players did
exceptionally well but could have done better if they had
experienced in the team.
PNG coach Moiyap was pleased with the performance of the women,
saying that it was a good start for Team PNG.
He said it was also a good start for the gold medal defence
which they won in 2003 in Suva, Fiji, and will be looking
forward to their next game.
Moiyap said the draw favour PNG who were likely to finish top in
Pool A. Other teams in the same pool are Fiji, the Solomon
Islands and the Cook Islands, and in Pool B there are Tonga,
Tahiti, New Caledonai and host Samoa.
PNG Football Association president David Chung, who is at the
Games as the match commissioner, was delighted and commended the
girls for their win.
Chung said his only worry would be the Solomon Islands as they
are an upcoming team in the pool while Tonga and Samoa are
unpredictables who are capable of causing an upset in the SPG
tournament.
 
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