Kapuls primed for MSG PM’s Cup final today

THE PAPUA New Guinea men’s football head coach Harrison Kamake has named a strong starting line-up for today’s clash against Vanuatu’s development team in the Melanesian Spearhead Group Prime Minister’s Cup grand final in Port Villa, Vanuatu.
Prime Minister James Marape yesterday congratulated the Kapuls for reaching the finals and extended his well wishes to the team.
“On behalf of the government, I extend our sincere thank you to the team management, coaching staff and especially the young PNG Kapuls players,” Marape said.
“I wish you all the very best in your grand final match against host Vanuatu.”
Alwin Komolong will lead the defence with Daniel Joe, flanked Kolu Kepo and Ferdahlas Namuesh with Ronald Warisan as goalkeeper to deflect chances of the host side to score.
Kamake said their plan would be approaching the game as any other match and execute what the Kapuls had worked on during training.
“As always, we approach every matches one at a time and work on our team’s performances from previous matches,” Kamake told The National yesterday.
“We have worked on things that we didn’t do right in our previous matches. In terms of game plan, there’s nothing special or secretive about what we do. It’s all about doing the little things right that we worked on in training and applying them in the game.
“We need to have a positive approach, think smart and play smart.”
Meanwhile, midfielder Jacob Sabua has been cleared to play after sitting out a match as penalty for recording two yellow cards in the group stage of the tournament.
Sabua will direct play in the centre with the help of Emmanuel Simon and Yagi Yasasa to create opportunities for the strikers.
Kapuls skipper Raymond Gunemba will lead PNG’s attack flanked by Nigel Dabinyaba and Ati Kepo with the hopes of repeating his goal against Vanuatu in the tournament opener last week.
The veteran striker told this paper that he was aware of the task awaiting the team.
Gunemba said it was their first grand final in the revived Fifa-sanctioned championship and playing in front of their opponent’s home crowd would be challenging.
“The team is ready for the game and we know it’s a big challenge for us,” said Gunemba. “We will not underestimate them but give everything we have against them.”
Kick-off is at 4pm today (PNG time) and will be broadcasted on NBC TV.