Kapi Natto says PNG can win Games gold

By BENJAMIN KOITAKA
PAPUA New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) yesterday named its 30-member squad for men and women for the Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa, in July.
PNGFA president John Kapi Natto said PNG had the potential to play and be a role model among other Pacific Island nations.
“The standard of soccer in the country has improved significantly over the past few years and we hope our teams will give their best in Apia,” he said.
“I believe they will bring gold back to the country.
“If they can do it in the 2015 Pacific games in PNG, they can do again in Samoa.”
Men’s coach Bob Morris said the selections were done based players’ experience and skills.
Morris said members of both squads had been training separately in different locations around the country.
But they will train together in Lae from next week.
“We will move to Lae for training,” Morris said.
“Our final squad will reduced to 23 players by July.”
Women’s coach Frederica Sakette said her team would also move to Lae to prepare.
Men: Patrick Aisa (Hekari), Jonathan Allen (Besta), David Browne (New Zealand), Nigel Dabinyaba (Toti City), Michael Foster (Toti City), Raymond Gunemba (Toti City), Daniel Joe (Hekari), Alex Kamen (Morobe United), Atti Kepo (Hekari), Kolu Kepo (Hekari), Felix Komolong (US), Alwin Komolong (Germany), Dinniget Luaine (Besta), David Muta (Hekari), Ishmael Pole (Hekari), Jacob Sabua (Toti City), Langarap Samol (Kagua Erave), Tommy Semmy (NZ), Emmanuel Simon (Toti City), Joshua Talau (Toti City), Greg Togubai (Eastern Stars), Koriak Upaiga (Hekari), Ronald Warisan (Toti City), Emmanuel Airem (Toti City), Stahl Gubag (Tusbab Stallions), Leslie Kalai (Hekari), Abel Redenut (Bougainville), Henry Ronny (Morobe United), Shane Sakael (Hekari), Philip Steven (Bougainville).
Women: Margaret Joseph (POM), Yvonne Gabong (POM), Kesai Kotome (Lae), Selina Gunemba (Lae), Carolyn Obi (Lae), Marie Kaipu (POM), Ramona Padio (Kimbe), Georgina Bakani (Kimbe), Gloria Laeli (POM), Betty Sam (Kimbe), Faith Kasiray (Ramu), Gloria Balamus (Wewak), Sandra Birum (Lae), Rayleen Bauelua (POM), Meagan Gunemba (Lae), Fidelma Watpore (POM), Dorcas Sesevo (POM), Deslyn Siniu (POM), Serah Tamgol (Lae), Jacobeth Bani (Madang), Joelyn Aimi (Lae), Jacklyne Miayosi (Alotau), Isabella Natera (Madang), Michaella Kurabi (Madang), Lydia Kose (POM), Nicole Bekio (Ramu), Abigail Wagol (Ramu), Shalom Waida (POM), Asaiso Gossie (Ramu), Lucy Maino (US).