PNG keep Cup hopes alive with victory

STRIKER Tommy Semmy helped Papua New Guinea keep their World Cup hopes alive with the only goal to beat New Caledonia in their second match of the Fifa World Cup regional qualifiers at Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar, on Monday (yesterday, PNG time).
A draw against Fiji, who lost 0-4 to New Zealand, tomorrow (Friday morning, PNG time) will be enough for coach Marcos Gusmao’s Kapuls to progress from Group B.
Two teams each from Groups A and B will advance to the semifinals of the Oceania qualifiers, with the eventual winners facing the fourth-placed Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football side for a berth in the World Cup.
Semmy’s goal came in the eighth minute via a right-footed shot from the edge of the box, thanks to a pass from Kolu Kepo. Gusmao’s starting 11 saw four changes with Emmanuel Airem, Kolu Kepo, Michael Foster and Stahl Gubag replacing Koriak Upaiga, Ati Kepo, David Muta and Raymond Gunemba respectively.
The Komolong brothers, Alwin and Felix, along with Daniel Joe and Emmanuel Airem, ensured a stubborn defence with in-form goalkeeper Ronald Warisan producing a number of saves to deny an equaliser by coach Dominique Wacalie’s New Caledonia.
After the break, Gusmao brought on fresh legs in debutants Pala Paul, Yagi Yasasa and Mathew David as replacements for Kepo, Foster and Jacob Sabua, in a bid to maintain the ascendency.
Australian-based Altona Magic forward Semmy had an opportunity to score again minutes from fulltime, but his shot was wide.
“It’s always a great feeling to score goals,” former Hekari United star Semmy told The National yesterday. “But, it’s the teamwork that make those goals possible.
“I will try my best to score more goals in the match against Fiji.”
Meanwhile, Gusmao said the Kapuls would work on polishing up their midfield.
“We didn’t have the same aggression as that of the New Zealand match, but we managed to score the goal at the right time,” the Brazilian said. “The important thing was to win and we did.
“I expect some changes will be made before the match.
“Possibly, skipper Muta and Koriak Upaiga will play.
“Some players lack international experience, so I’m doing my best to improve that. As for Semmy’s missed goal, I think he got a little tired. The defenders played very well, but it was a dangerous highline. Our goal is to reach the finals.”