Hosts Madang take out U15 girls’ crown

MADANG have done it again by winning the U15 National Girls Soccer tournament at Laiwaden Oval in Madang.
Madang beat LFA in a penalty shoot-out 4-3 to win the girls’ crown.
It was a hard-fought battle which remained scoreless at fulltime and extra time and then both teams went to penalty shoot-out.
PNGFA development officer Taku Niebo said from Madang last night that the hosts  had proven to be the champions in the youth soccer tournaments.
Two months ago, Madang won the U20 boys tournament and  last weekend, the U15 girls beat all odds to clinch the crown.
He said Wau finished third while Amba, also from Morobe province finish fourth.
The tournament, which started last  Thursday,  ended on Saturday, attracted 10 centres which included Madang 1, Madang 2, Wewak, Amba, Wau, Lae School Soccer, LFA, Simbu and Goroka while Wabag and Gerehu did not attend despite nominating to participate in the event.
Niebo said the championship was to select the girls’ team for the Oceania U17 tournament next year.
Tahiti will be hosting the event.
“We came here for a purpose and have selected a pool of players which will be announced as the national team for the Oceania tournament,” he said.
If PNG can make it through in Tahiti, they will travel to the World Cup U19 girls tournament in Trinidad-Tobago.
The U15 championships is one of the two soccer tournaments that PNGFA are aiming for to ensure girls and women are given opportunities to take part in such high level football competition.