PNG face Fiji in pool decider

 PAPUA New Guinea Under-17 women’s coach Margaret Aka wants to see her team become more economical with the ball and improve their attack against Fiji in the final day of Group B action at the OFC U17 Women’s Soccer Championship in Rarotonga today.

The calculators will be out in force for the final day as three teams battle for two semi-final spots.

Speaking from Raratonga, Cook Islands, last night, Aka said: “I am depending on the starting 11 to deliver the goods for us. 

“The girls need to step up in the way we attack against Fiji.

“We want to play more directly and use the ball on the ground to our advantage,” she said.

“Fiji are a team with height so we can’t rely on the high ball — keeping it on the ground will be vital.”

Aka said her charges were in the box seat, leading the group with a three-point buffer and a goal difference advantage over Fiji and Vanuatu.

It is unlikely — but still possible — that Aka’s side will miss out on advancing to the semi-finals.

She singled out striker Belinda Giada, who has been an important member of the team after picking up six goals from two matches. 

The PNG girls are expecting to maintain their form against Fiji today.

Giada is the player to watch as she leads the race for the Golden Boot. 

Evasive and accurate, Giada needs only half a chance to find the back of the net. 

“My charges are young but they have been urged to support each other on the field to ensure we top the pool match,” Aka said.

Vanuatu and Fiji on the other hand are locked in a tight tussle, with the latter holding a goal difference advantage of seven, but Vanuatu has won the head-to-head clash between them on Match Day 4.

PNG’s nine goals give them the second-best attacking record in the competition, behind New Zealand.

“Even if we don’t qualify for the semi-finals, we will make sure we go out in a respectable way” Fiji coach Yogendra Dutt said.