Kapuls want challenge against best sides

PAPUA New Guinea Kapuls are treating their two international friendlies this month against Iran and Malaysia as dress rehearsals for their the World Cup qualifier against Tahiti next year.
Coach Flemming Serritslev said the idea was for the side to get into their thinking that every match was crucial.
He said the preparation for the local players had been good however, he was still concerned with the team’s fitness levels.
“The level of fitness is not as good as expected but this is something the players need to improve on before we play Iran and Malaysia,” Serritslev said.
He said PNG would play the first game against the Asia’s number one ranked side, Iran, on Nov 10 bfollowed by Malaysia on Nov 14.
He said the match against Iran was a big challenge the squad was looking forward to – it was on pair with playing Australia or New Zealand.
Serritslev said the Iran match would show him where PNG was regionally and in Asia.
“It’s a previllage to have a match against Iran which which should really show us where we are against the Asian countries,” Serritslev said.
“It will be a big challenge but we want challenges, and it would be good for football as we prepare for the World Cup qualifier against Tahiti and Solomon Islands,” he said.
The second match against Malaysia is another interesting one because the hosts will be out to pay PNG back for beating them in Port Moresby earlier in June.
“Facing strong sides will only be good for us and it will help us gauge our performance in the region.”
The squad has three new inclusions in Rodney Mobiha, Kolu Kepu and Stahl Gubag.
Kapuls squad: Ronald Warisan (Lae City Dwellers), Leslie Kalai (Hekari United), Ismail Pole (Hekari), Felix Komolong (Cantebury, New Zealand), Roland Bala (Port Moresby FC), Philip Steven (Rapatona, PMSA), Daniel Joe (Marist, Solomon Is), Koriak Opaiga (Marist, SI), Jacob Sabua (Port Moresby), Alwin Komolong (USA), Simon Emmanuel (Hekari), David Muta (Marist, SI), Michael Foster (Malaita Kingz, SI), Raymond Gunemba (Hamilton, NZ), Nigel Dabinyaba (LCD), Patrick Aisa (Rapatona, PMSA), Tommy Semmy (Marist, SI), Rodney Mobiha (NZ), Stahl Gubag (Madang), Kolu Kepo (Kalo, Central).