National soccer squads put through fitness testing

THE Port Moresby-based national soccer men’s and women’s train-on squads underwent a high performance baseline screening and testing yesterday.
Players based in Lae, Madang and Highlands will go through a similar process next week.
PNGFA technical manager Paul Isorua, pictured, said preparation was looking good for both teams as they gear up for their first training camp.
The Port Moresby-based players would kick off their first three-day training camp on Monday at Bisini while Lae, Madang and Highlands would be April 22-24 in Lae at the PNGFA Academy.
Forty-nine players have been selected into the train-on squad for both teams which will be trimmed to 23 with seven non-travelling reserves.
Tommy Semmy and David Browne, who play in New Zealand, will be joining the team with Wira Wama and Felix Komolong to also fly in from the United States.
Alwin Komolong who plays and trains in Germany is still to confirm is availability.
The bulk of the men’s squad was part of the 2016 OFC Nations Cup team.
Senior players David Muta, Koriak Upaiga, Michael Foster and Raymond Gunemba will form the leadership group of the squad.
Twelve countries will take part in the men’s football tournament at the Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa.
Tahiti, New Caledonia and Fiji are expected to be PNG’s biggest rivals in Samoa.