Lagatois: Our aim is to return with gold medal

THE national women’s soccer team have just one thing on their minds and that is to retain their title at the Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa, next month.
“We are looking forward to defending gold and that’s the bottom line,” coach Frederica Sakette said of her team, who are known as the Lagatois.
Sakette said her final 23-member squad, who are in camp in Port Moresby, were preparing to defend their title.
The Lagatois — who are ranked 50 in the world — are in Group B with the Solomon Islands (110), Tahiti (96), Vanuatu (108) and Cook Islands (109).
Group A consists of Samoa (114), Fiji (71) American Samoa (125), Tonga (87) and New Caledonia (91).
Fiji, who beat PNG 5-1 in the Oceania Football Confederation Nations Cup semifinals in New Caledonia last November, are a serious threat to the Lagatois.
The Marika Rodu-coached Fijians are also coming off a 3-1 victory over Singapore (120) in the Tri Nations Fifa Women’s International Friendly series in Vanuatu earlier this month.
“We’re not taking any sides lightly in Apia, as they are all quality teams and they will be looking to be at the top of their game,” Sakette said.
“Vanuatu are a strong side. There’s also Samoa who will be having the home crowd right behind them.”
The Lagatois will feature some new faces as Sakette plans to add 16-year-old Assaiso Gossie and Shalom Waida, 18, to the roster to set the foundation for the next generation of footballers in PNG.
“They are performing like experienced players at training,” Sakette said.
“So we are confident that they will contribute to the team.”
Adding firepower to the squad is the Lagatois’ only overseas-based player Lucy Maino (United States), who is likely to be calling the shots in attack.
“I am grateful to be able to work with Lucy at training and use her experience to help the younger girls. The girls are attending regular and high-performance training sessions,” Sakette said
“Training is going well. I have a mixture of experienced and young players.
“Although it was slow in the beginning, they are catching up and we’re looking to put the final touches to our preparations.”
The Lagatois will be looking to play several friendlies before heading to Apia.
“We’re looking at taking on the Hekari Youth Academy U17 side, Mungkas U18s and Erima Flyovers 18s,” Sakette said.
“Friendlies are crucial to our preparations but at the same time, we have to mindful of keeping our players injury-free.
“I’m sure these three teams will be able to give my players a good challenge.”
Meanwhile, Sakette has brought in veteran Deslyn Siniu to mentor the side’s next group of leaders.
“Deslyn has been around for quite some time so her experience and leadership qualities will be invaluable to the side,” she said.
“This may be her last tournament as a representative player. But that is a call only Deslyn herself will make.
“Regardless of her decision, Deslyn has done the country proud for her contribution to women’s soccer.”