PNG defender joins NZ’s Canterbury United

Papua New Guinea international Felix Komolong has signed with the Canterbury United Football Association in New Zealand to bolster the Dragons’ defence.
The 19-year-old, who played in the Oceania Nations Cup final against the All Whites in Papua New Guinea in June, will join Canterbury in the Stirling Sports Premiership season.
Canterbury coach Willy Gerdsen described the former Hekari United player as “a rising star, having captained the (PNG) Under-20s and also played six or seven full international games”.
“He’s an obvious talent, a class player who will offer the Dragons a lot this season.”
Komolong is no stranger to New Zealand, having studied at Auckland’s King’s College where he starred for the first XI.
He said he had “heard great things about (Canterbury United), the team, club, coach and culture.
“It’s also an opportunity to come down to such a beautiful country, so I thought, ‘yeah, why not’.
“The way Willy is wanting the Dragons to play is very similar to the way my national team plays, with a few small differences, but (it’s) fast, attacking and positive.”
Komolong said his strengths were his pace and “ability to read the game, and I’m a quick learner”.
He said he was aware there were a lot of good players in the New Zealand national league, which was “going to be very strong”.
“I am really looking forward to the challenge ahead this season, working on my game and helping Canterbury United reach their goals.
“The weather is much colder here, the game is a lot more physical here, not like the end to end game we play at home.  The game here has more structure and is more tactical than in PNG.”
Komolong has mixed German and PNG heritage and had a three-week trial with Wynton Rufer’s former German club, Werder Bremen, in 2014.
His older brother, Alwin, 21, also played for PNG at the Oceania Nations Cup and is now on a university scholarship in the United States.
Komolong’s signing leaves Canterbury United with one spot remaining on their national league roster.  The Dragons kick off the 2016-17 season with a home game against Mainland Football stable mates Tasman United on Sunday.
Komolong is the latest member of PNG Kapuls (senior men) team to secure playing contract overseas.
Other players who are now playing abroad include; Michael Foster (Malaita Kings), David Muta, Koriak Upaiga, Daniel Joe, Tommy Semmy (Marist FC – Solomon Islands, Nigel Dabinyaba (Queensland State League) and Raymond Gunemba (Hamilton – New Zealand). – Stuff