Mosquitoes start build-up

 THE first stage of the Papua New Guinea Mosquitoes build-up to next year’s International Cup gets under way with an emerging team to to play an Australian Defence Force team in Lae on Saturday.

PNG regularly takes part in the International Cup and won it in 2008. 

AFL-PNG general ma­nager Murray Bird said they were doing everything possible to emulate that feat.

“The International Cup is a fantastic experience for our players as they get the chance to play against and mix with 24 other nations from Europe, Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific. Our biggest threats are the United States, New Zealand, Ireland and Nauru.”

AFL-PNG has already confirmed four players – Joseph Singura (Ko­kopo), Casper Babo (Kimbe), David Stegman (Mt Hagen) and Tony Me­li (Lae) – with the balance of 19 players to be picked from the Port Moresby competition.

They were selected following a Southern and Northern trial match at Murray Barracks recently.

Following the successful staging of the BSP Cup premiership won by the Dockers on Saturday, all players are now committed this week to training under coach Walter Yangomina to confirm the Port Moresby quota. 

The preliminary squad that will be cut-down by Friday: Cyril Gerari, Nigel Paloa (SP Defence Hawks) Richard Rawali, Dominic Livuana, Tapua Henry, Tohian Roberts, Francis Brown (Grafitti Koboni) Emmanuel Tupia, Stanley Isu, Ori Nilmo, Raymond Vogae, Junior Francis Giau, Paul Tika, Walu Nakas, Jacob Henry (Lamana Dockers), Jeffrey Namete, Ferdinand Musi, Chris Mong, Tino Kante (Moniplus Taurama Suns), Sunny Yogomin, Sam Ila, Paul Philip, John Vincent, Archie Mai Junior, Kopi Kere (Digicel Gordons Kokofas), Ezra Gotuno, Kawai Akuru, Eric Michael (City Pharmacy Gerehu Magpies), Bruno Arnold (Hitron Bomana Cats) Clydie Pulah, David Topeni, Wingti Pena, Brendan Gotuno, Eddie Kusup, Max Lavai (Moore University Tigers), Robert Daniels, Obert Muri (Kwila Gulf Giants).