Hekari’s Pole: I want to play in a Fifa Club World Cup

GOALKEEPER Ishmael Pole’s dream in football is to play in a Fifa Club World Cup or to represent Papua New Guinea in the World Cup one day.
The 27-year old, who is from Kagua, Southern Highlands, started his career as a teenager in the Murat Football Club’s junior divisions in the Lae Football Association before being signed up by Hekari United in 2012.
Pole was part of the PNG under-20 side in 2012 and then he went on to play for the PNG under-23 side that won bronze in the South Pacific Games in Port Moresby.
He made his international debut for the country in the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa. When Pole joined Hekari, he was the second choice goalkeeper until 2018 when he became a regular for the red army.
He played his first National Soccer League grand final last year in which his side went down to Lae City in a shootout.
“I think one of my highlights playing in NSL was the grand final last year,” Pole said.
“It was my first grand final appearance, though we lost, it was a moment I will never forget.
“ I’ve also been travelling with the PNG senior men’s team since 2014 and last year in the Pacific Games in Samoa I made my debut for the Kapuls.
“That was one of my special moments in my career.
“The feeling of playing for my country was just special.
“For me growing up, I’ve always been passionate about football and my favourite position was goalkeeping.
“I was inspired by my parents especially my Mom who always supported me in what I loved doing.
“Some of my heroes or favourite players who inspired me were former CMSS Tigers goalkeeper Antony Pipi and former Hekari United goalkeeper and my coach Godfried Baniau.
“Baniau is someone that I look up to not only how he plays but his character, qualities — that makes me want to learn from him.”