Kapuls ready

By ISAAC LIRI
THE Papua New Guinea Kapuls are hoping to beat Tahiti for the first time when they face off in their first soocer World Cup qualifier at the Sir John Guise Stadium today.
The Kapuls have yet to beat the French Polynesian side  — only coming close last year in the Oceania Football Confederation Nations Cup, when the Tahitians came from behind to level scores 2-2.
Before that match, stats showed PNG having two draws and eight defeats to the Tahitians but the hosts are determined this could be the time.
“One time is the first time and that time must be tomorrow,” coach Flemming Serristlev said at training.
Captain Michael Foster believes that a victory today is within reach.
“Physically, mentally and spiritually we have prepared well and I am sure we can win,” Foster said.
Serristlev said with a lot of new players coming into the side, the players had not had enough time to form proper combinations but he was confident that they had the experience and composure to get the job done.
Foster said the new players had adjusted well and he was expecting them to fire at the Sir John Guise Stadium.  Despite the loss of key players David Muta, Koriak Upaiga and Tommy Semmy due to their association with Football Federation PNG, Serristlev was banking on the replacements to rise to the occasion.
“We have good combination players so that won’t be an issue.
“We have players who have experience on playing at this level so we are confident,” Serristlev said.
The 70-year-old said the Tahitians were a strong side and he saw them as matching them in all departments.
“The key area for victory tomorrow will be to play faster than the Tahitians; we might not be as tall and big like them but our speed will be our advantage.”
The 4pm match will have live-streamed on the EMTV website and the televised replay will be at 10.30pm.