Coach expects players to maintain performance

THE Papua New Guinea Under-19 women are expected to repeat their performance against New Caledonia yesterday when they take on Tonga at Ngahure Reserve in Auckland, New Zealand, today.
Coach Rachel Wadunah expects her charges to take a similar approach as they did with New Caledonia to score more goals to move up the ladder in the Oceania U19 competition.
With Fiji, Samoa and Tonga yet to play, coach Wadunah is mindful that PNG needs to score a high number of goals to beat Fiji to qualify for the play-offs.
Wadunah said the win against New Caledonia was a response to minor adjustments they made between the two matches.
“In our first game against New Zealand, we sat deep and were more defensive but with this game, we pressed very hard and had chances to convert those attacking moments into goals,” she said.
PNG turned their fortunes around with an inspired performance and will be hoping their luck continues in their match against Tonga.
For Tonga, after a confidence-boosting draw against Samoa, and some positive football, coach Christian Koneti is certain the team will provide a good challenge for PNG.
However, he is aware that the Melanesians have taken two different approaches to their games so far, and knows either approach will be difficult for his side to contain.
In the other matches, New Caledonia plays New Zealand while Fiji takes on Samoa.