World Cup team to be named after warmup

Sports

THE 24-man squad for Oil Search PNG Orchids for World Cup will be selected after the one-off match against Australian Jillaroos on Sept 23 at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.
This was confirmed by PNG Rugby Football League chairman Sandis Tsaka from Wabag on Wednesday.
Tsaka said 30 women are undergoing training currently under the supervision of technical officials in Mt Hagen, Goroka, Lae, Kokopo and Port Moresby.
At the end of the first week, the team would be cut down to 18 members who will train for one week before the Jillaroos match.
The squad will then be brought into a two week intensive camp before the final 24 players are selected to travel to Sydney for the World Cup.
The PNG Orchids received a couple of invitations to play friendlies prior to the World Cup which the PNGRFL is yet to confirm based on budget and other requirements.
Selections were done by the national selectors at the national championships in Lae based on performance during the tournament.
The quality of football displayed at the championships was outstanding and selectors had a challenging task putting the team together from the many outstanding players.
“This bodes well for the quality of our national team,” Tsaka said.
“It is the PNG Orchids coach (Dennis) Miall’s prerogative to include or remove any additional players based on his assessments of the team’s strength after the PM’s XIII or trial match thereafter.”
“Coach Miall may advice of any player he may be monitoring in Australia to be included for the World Cup.
“As PNG Orchids debut in the World Cup, what are our chances?
“As chairman, I am confident the PNG Orchids will perform extremely well despite this being our first World Cup.
“The PNGRFL in the last four years has invested heavily in the women’s programme in terms of player development, high performance training, improved coaching and refereeing standards that are on par with our men’s competition.
“The PNG Orchids will be the surprise pack of the tournament and may upset the top three nations of Australia, England and New Zealand.
“If the girls play to their potential then there is no reason why the Oil Search PNG Orchids cannot make it past the preliminary rounds and into the semis or even the final.”