New criteria for Kapuls

By PATRICIA KEAMO
PLAYERS with a minimum height of 1.8m will only be considered for next year’s Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands, says national men’s football team coach Marcos Gusmao.
Upon returning from the Fifa World Cup regional qualifiers in Doha, Qatar, the Brazilian said his aim for the coming months was to build a new Kapuls squad – and height would be a criteria in the selection process.
Gusmao told The National that he would scout for players in the upcoming National Soccer League season with a focus on footballers between the ages of 20 and 23.
“The league is my parameter to start the overhaul of the national team,” the South American said.
“The new national team will be made up of players with a minimum height of 1.8m.”
While the criteria of the height alone will rule out many players in the league, Gusmao outlined other requirements.
“Players will have to be between the ages of 20 and 23, and be fast learners,” he said.
“I am yet to make recommendations for the criteria to the Papua New Guinea Football Association, but I will be the one selecting the next squad as I wasn’t one of the selectors for the current group.
“I will still need some experienced players in the team, so I can have a mixture in the team.
“Some players from the qualifiers will be retained.
“International players like Tommy Semmy and David Browne will be included to make the next team very strong.”
Gusmao said in-form goalkeeper Ronald Warisan would be retained.
“Warisan is still young, but I need to find a goalkeeper of his level or similar,” he said.
“I will have to look for defensive midfielders.
“We need get our selection right for role and the frontline.
“The Komolong brothers, Alwin and Felix, and Daniel Joe will be retained.
“For now, our preparations for the Pacific Games will have its own calendar soon.
“All players have been released back to their respective clubs to prepare for the upcoming (National Soccer League) season.”