PNG coach praises team for upset of England women

By NATHAN WOTI
COACH Bagelo Solien applauded the Papua New Guinea Orchids for sticking it out for a 20-16 upset of England in Port Moresby on Saturday, despite criticism on social media.
He said his side had to “shrug off criticism” following their 10-24 loss in the first test at the National Sports Institute in Goroka, Eastern Highlands, on Nov 9.
“We are trying to build the team. Most of the girls are between the ages of 19 and 21 so that’s good,” Solien said.
“For some of the players, it was there second game together. I’m pretty sure if they stay together as a team, we can produce some good results in the future. It is the first test that the Orchids have won and I’m happy to be part of history.”
Solien said he was still unsure of his future as Orchids coach.
“The job will be advertise at the end of the month,” he said.
“But I would really like to recommend that this group of players be kept together. “If we have good flexibility between the players and the coaching stuff, I believe we can get some pretty good results.”
Solien said the decision on who would be the permanent coach was out of his hands but his main concern was for the same group to remain intact leading up to the 2021 World Cup in England.