Phillips sets sights on Rio Olympics

 AFTER helping the Papua New Guinea women’s soccer team secure second spot behind New Zealand at the Oceania Nations Cup in Kokopo last year, coach Gary Philips, pictured, is all-in for another task — to help the women win their fourth gold medal at the Pacific Games and earn a place at the Olympics in Rio next year.

With that build-up, the team will do an 18-day tour of South-East Asia which includes four international fixtures, two each against Singapore and Thailand. 

Thailand are currently on a European tour in their preparations for the 2015 Women’s World Cup in Canada.

Philips said an opportunity to play any team competing at that level was great for his side to develop their skills and quality of play. 

“Thailand is well advanced in their preparation for Canada so this is a big opportunity — after the disappointment of losing to New Zealand last year,” Philips said.

 He said preparation was the key to winning the gold and despite being the defending champions and favourites to win at home, there would be no room for complacency.

The Pacific Games gold medal winners will progress to play a home-and-away series against New Zealand to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil. 

“This Asian tour is a chance to regain our focus and refine our technical and tactical qualities while at the same time, it’s a chance for a couple of new faces (yet to be named) to impress and secure a place in the final Pacific Games squad,” Philips said.

“Thanks to the generous support of the PNG Olympic Committee and the PNGFA, preparations for the Pacific Games will and have been unprecedented.”

The team is seeking support from businesses in their build up towards defending their title as the queens of the Pacific in women’s football. 

 The 21-member squad will leave for Singapore on February 28, playing the Singapore-select side on March 4 and 7, before playing Thailand on March 11 and 16.