Club counting on experienced players to lay foundation

By PATRICIA KEAMO
GENESIS are counting on experienced players Yvonne Gabong, Aida Gerote, Rayleen Bauelua and Margret Joseph to lead their campaign in the Women’s National Soccer League (WNSL) which kicks off in Port Moresby and Lae on Saturday.
Head coach Percy Mataio told The National yesterday that Genesis had devised a structured defensive system for their campaign.
“Our strength is built on defensive, reactive football,” he said.
“This provides the platform for us to build in transitional attack when we have possession moving positively with the ball and always going forward to create scoring opportunities.
“I will be banking on skipper Yvonne Gabong, Aida Gerote, Rayleen Bauelua, Lavinia Hola, Margret Joseph, Joelyn Aimi, Ramona Padio and Elizabeth Elizah to provide the platform for us this season.”
With a coaching experience of eight years at the national and international level, Mataio is working to improve his players so they can contribute to the team’s overall performances.
He said he is building a culture in the team that would help the young women to play a positive style of football with confidence in their abilities.
“We have a great group of talented girls who are committed to this journey and they know what is required of them at this level,” Mataio said.
“So we have to nurture them and show them the right pathway to follow and remain consistent with a professional attitude if they want to be successful athletes.
“Every team is different and unique with players having different football talents and it’s how best we get to help these players become improved individuals.
“We have the roster to do well this season and we’re focused on achieving our objectives.
“But we also recognise that there are 13 other teams that want to do the same, so we need to make sure we are prepared and consistent with our performances.
“Overall, I want the players to express themselves on the field and use this opportunity to develop their skills and grow in confidence.
“It’s an exciting time for women’s football in PNG and the region leading up to the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.”
Getting Genesis into the WNSL was a dream in itself and executive Grace Yohang-Mataio is grateful for the support they have received from the club’s sole sponsor, Budget Rent-a-Car.
“We are extremely grateful to Budget for coming on board this season and we’re proud to display the Budget logo on our uniforms, for which their sponsorship helped pay,” she said.
“Running the club for the entirety of the season requires a lot of outlays, so we are open to forming additional partnerships with organisations that share our aspirations.
“If there are interested parties that want to be part of what Genesis are doing, they can email [email protected] or contact the club though our Facebook page.”