PNG get off to winning start

Papua New Guinea made a strong start to their OFC U19 Championship campaign yesterday afternoon as they outplayed a determined Tongan side to claim a 4-0 win in the opening game of the competition at Stade Pater.
It took Tonga a little time to settle into the match as they adjusted to the pace of the competition, but they were soon able to surprise with an approach many hadn’t expected from the qualifier winners.
At times sitting back and absorbing the pressure from their opponents while relying on the defensive structure they built during the qualifying stage, Tonga were able to then counter using the speed of Tevita Kau and Talakaua Faiva’alo to their advantage.
PNG, although dominant in possession, struggled to adjust to the Tongans’ solid approach to defending their goal mouth and it seemed like they may not be able to break it down.
The frustration crept in as PNG picked up two cautions in the first 20 minutes before they started to settle and create chances for themselves.
The best opportunities were created by Barthy Kerobin who really put Semisi Otukolo to the test with some quick-fire shots.
However, the honour of the opening goal of the tournament fell to Jonathan Allen who latched onto the ball and fired it under Otukolo in the first minute of added time.
Kerobin finally got on the score sheet himself in the 66th minute when he broke the line to latch onto a through ball before calmly slotting past Otukolo.
Substitute Abraham Allen then opened PNG’s lead to three in the 72nd minute before getting his brace in added time to complete the 4-0 victory for his side. PNG coach Harrison Kamake said although they never underestimated their opponent, they hadn’t expected the high pressing approach the first half of the match delivered.
“I would say we were a bit nervous during the first half,” Kamake said.
“The instruction was just to stick to the plan, carry out what we were supposed to do and we started to pick up in the second half.
“They were nervous and we had to fix that up in the second half.”
Tonga coach Soane Mailangi was happy with the overall performance of his side as they made the first step up to this level.
“Before we came to this tournament, we knew every game was going to be really tough because most of the teams at the top are hard for us to play,” Mailangi said.
“We compacted our defence, worked hard at the back, and counter-attacked when we won possession and tried to send long balls.
“We knew PNG would be physical, quick but short and we tried to use that.
“In the second half, we still knocked on their door, but they were maybe too fast in their combinations.”
In the late match, hosts Tahiti were unable to contain the might of defending champions New Zealand despite a strong showing, going down 2-1 in front of a vocal home crowd.