Oceania’s World Cup race still on

Sports

By HENRY MORABANG
THE spot for the winner in Group A for the 2018 soccer World Cup Oceania qualifier is still wide open as PNG and the Solomon Islands press for home wins to qualify.
On aggregate points, Tahiti sit clearly on top of the Group A after completing their games against both countries.
The toss-up would be for either PNG or the Solomons to win both home-and-away matches to face Group B winners New Zealand.
PNG Kapuls coach Flemming Serritslev is wary of playing Solomon Islands at their home as they are more passionate about their football than any other island country.
The coach said PNG would play the Bonitos on June 9 at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara, before hosting the return leg at Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium, Lae, on June 13.
“I am looking to add more tonic to the team, with the inclusion of overseas-based players depending on their dual citizenship,” Serritslev said. “Otherwise, I’m content with what is on offer to see Kapuls through to the next stage of the Russia qualifiers,” he said.
All the players have gone to their respective countries and clubs, but he hopes to get them back for a mini camp at the end of April and a full camp on May 21 leading into the Russia qualifier in June.
The Kapuls coach said there was no injury at the moment and he hoped the players would return to the camp injury-free on May 21.
“I have watched Solomon Islands and they have more individual brilliance than any other island countries, but we can beat them if we play as a team,” he said.
“In the previous two outings against Tahiti, PNG could have won easily had we played as a team and not as individuals.
“This above all, cost us some vital points at home when we lost 3-1.
“I hope the players learnt from this and are mindful when we take on the Solomon Islands in the remaining qualifying games.”