Import gets taste of local game

The National Sports

By PARKER TAMBUA
LAE City coach Peter Gunemba has raised concern over the safety of his Ecuadorian imports after pulling Gustine Icaza off the field during Saturday’s National Soccer League clash with Vitiaz United.
Gunemba said the match was becoming very physical and both sides were being aggressive and he felt he did not need to risk his star import being injured ahead of the OFC Champions League.
He said there was a lot of shouting from the side lines and the volume rose every time the 19-year-old had the ball.
Gunemba said the youngster’s debut for City was a good one and he showed his class and skills but he felt there was no need to risk the safety of his charge.
Lae lost 2-1 to a fired up Vitiaz. It was City’s first loss of the season.
Gunemba told The National on Monday that he intended to use Icaza who played at right flank for longer period in the match but instead replaced him with Obert Bika.
“Every time Icaza touched the ball I could hear crowd shouted ‘skinim skin blo em’ repeatedly,” Gunemba said.
“This is PNG and I know how crowd reacts. When you hear such it is not a good sign as we know what happens after that. Icaza is just a kid and I did not wanted to risk him so I sent Obert (Bika) in to replace him.
“These are foreign players, our fans should not be doing this as it will reflect who we are.”
Gunemba said Icaza still needed to develop combinations with his teammates and that would come with more time on the field but Saturday’s experience served as a decent introduction to the PNG game for him.
Gunemba said the other Ecuadorian Abdias Aguirre, who plays at midfield, would make his debut against Bougainville at the PNG Football Stadium in Port Moresby on Saturday.

4 comments

  • It’s good to see clubs buying overseas players to play for them.
    It’s just bad spectating and not healthy for soccer in PNG. Hope we get a more civil croud next time.

  • Good game but the comments stated by supporters are not good. It does not promote soccer. How can you improve without learning from others? Such comments is unsportsmanlike. Support with dignity and respect. Help yourself to learn from others and work hard to improve that will help to develop soccer to the next level. Such comments is disgraceful and will not take PNG anywhere. I appreciate those teams bringing in foreign players because that will assist to develop soccer to the next level. We have to learn from others them, train hard and reach the heights of advance soccer countries. But our attitude will degrade us to be the same. Sad for us (PNG). We have to change our mindset inorder to advance. Otherwise, remain the same.

  • Excellent move by the Coach. PNG fans seriously need education in what is an “acceptable form of support phrase or word” to use for their respective teams at any games.

    There is a major difference between support phrases and racial abuse! PNG Soccer must get on top of this or fans will destroy soccer in PNG.

  • We have a rooted attitude problem not only in sports but also in other areas in social life.Imagine how you would feel if this happened to you if you were overseas.
    It’s good to have foreign players so we can learn skills from them and develop the game.Gunemba is doing the right thing….unfortunately most of us do not share the same thoughts

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