Losing start for U20s but coach pleased

PAPUA New Guinea Under-20 women’s soccer team had a bad start on their South Korea tour losing heavily, 6-1 to Hanyang Women’s University Team at Paju National Football Stadium on Sunday.
The host team is a little older than the PNG girls, and is one of the top teams in the university system in South Korea.
Coach Lisa Cole said generally the team played below par.
“We had a couple players playing well but overall the performance was below what should be our standard,” she said after the match from South Korea.
Cole said, not to take anything away from the University team, PNG girls gave them too many easy goals off poor decisions and lack of effort.
Gloria Laeli was outstanding in defence while Loretta Yagum, one of our U-17 players, got her first start and had a solid performance.
Winger Nicolette Ageva who switched positions from winger to striker was a bright point in the team with her efforts up top.
Otherwise, the coach said that was an average to below-average performance by the PNG U20 team.
Cole said the South Korea FA had been wonderful hosts since her team’s arrival last Thursday.
She described the training facility as first class and the meals and accomodation as excellent.
Team manager Cathy Agunam said the girls were looking forward for the South Korea tour as part of building confidence as a team, and they needed more games before the World Cup.
She added that the tour was part of PNGFA president David Chung’s vision to see the girls have good match fitness before the actual World Cup from October to November in Port Moresby.
PNG: Lace Kunei, Eunice Dambui, Olive Upaupa, Cynthia Stanis, Jacobeth Bani, Gloria Laeli, Yvonne Gabong, Joy Tsuga, Marie Kaipu, Nicollette Ageva, Ramona Padio, Anna Bulum, Lavina Hola, Christo Mato, Esmeralda Waipo, Margaret Joseph, Belinda Giada, Martha Karl, Alison Polias, Loretta Yagum, Hilda Nake, Jackly Maiyosi.