Giada keen to get nod

By HENRY MORABANG
FROM Bundi in the highlands of Madang, Belinda Giada is one of the 26 Under-20 women’s soccer players vying for spots in the Federation of the International Football Associations(Fifa) U20 Women’s WorldCup roster for Papua New Guinea.
Giada was picked from the local school soccer competition in Ramu, Madang.
She said she has learnt much from her parents and peers and she hoped to give her best to get a nod for the U20 team.
“I am excited for the opportunity to play for my country and I am doing my best to win a spot in the playing roster for the World Cup next month,” she said.
Giada said the highlight of her career was scoring two goals in the 2014 Summer Youth Olympic
Games in China.
“That was the highlight of my fledgling soccer career and my first trip out of the country,” she said.
The Madang lass said after losing to Venezuela 7-0 in the first game and 4-0 to Slovakia in the second
game, she wanted to ensure they won the last game against Namibia.
“We gave everything we had on the day and eventually won 3-2.
Knowing that I scored two goals towards the win at the Youth Olympic level is one of my greatest personal achievements,” she said.
“I scored the first goal in the opening minute. Namibia replied a little later but we regrouped and responded with me scoring my second goal and Marity Sep cushioned the lead 3-1 by half-time,” the PNG U20 hopeful said.
“We put up a strong defence to defend the lead 3-1 in the second-half until Namibia pulled one back in the 40th minute but the time ran against them.”
Giada said she was happy that some of the players from the Youth Olympic Games were still with the
team, including Margaret Joseph, Selina Unamba and Faith Kasiray. Giada said her family played football
which was why she took up the sport.
The 16-year-old Grade 8 Goroka Grammar School student said she would give her best for her country if she made the final cut.
“Individually, I play hard and learn as much as I can from others around me, including my own teammates.”
After the World Cup, Giada plans to return home and continue her education.
“I have to balance my football and education after the World Cup,” he said.