Kapuls bow out of Cup qualifiers

By PATRICIA KEAMO
NATIONAL men’s football team head coach Marcos Gusmao says his next focus is to assemble a youthful squad for next year’s Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands.
The Brazilian’s comments came after the Kapuls suffered a 2-3 loss to the Games hosts in the semifinals of the Fifa World Cup regional qualifiers in Doha, Qatar, on Sunday (local time).
Gusmao told The National yesterday that some of the young Kapuls incumbents would retain their spots in the squad, which he would pick, unlike his first assignment as head coach.
Despite being slotted in a tough pool with New Zealand, Fiji and New Caledonia, the Kapuls fought their way and earned a spot in the semifinals after finishing second in Pool B.
The Kapuls opened the scoring 24 minutes in through skipper Alwin Komolong off an Emmanuel Airem cross.
But the Solomon Islands equalised nine minutes later through skipper and two-goal hero Alvin Hou, who nutmegged substitute defender Koriak Upaiga on the edge of the penalty area.
Tommy Semmy and Raymond Gunemba had opportunities to score in the second, but both strikers failed to convert them as the Solomon Islands netted two quick goals to seal the game.
Ati Kepo’s goal in the 88th minute revived the Kapuls’ hopes of a fightback, but they were unable to find an equaliser.
“After losing Daniel Joe to an injury, our reserves were also injured, so we had no options,” Gusmao said.
“The Solomon Islands took advantage of opportunities and scored goals.
“Our attackers also missed decisive goals.
“The team did their best within their tactical and technical abilities.
“It was a good effort, but our attack didn’t work when it needed to.
“We were second in a tough group which was already a big victory.”
Gusmao said he would oversee selections after reviewing the Kapuls’ campaign.
“We will assemble a younger national team that I will choose for the Pacific Games,” the Brazilian said.
“With due respect to this group, I was not involved in the selection criteria.”
When asked if he thought a better team could have been assembled had he been involved in the selections, Gusmao said: “I believe so, my criteria would be focused on the technical aspect of the game.”
He thanked the coaching staff and players for their contributions, praising the Komolong brothers, Alwin and Felix, who stood out in defence alongside Daniel Joe and goalkeeper Ronald Warisan.
Meanwhile, Gusmao and his squad will return to Port Moresby by the end of the week.