PNG name Nations Cup squad

 By HENRY MORABANG
PNG national senior men’s soccer coach Flemming Serritslev has announced his final squad for the Nations Cup to be staged in Port Moresby from May 29 to June 11.
Except for a new inclusion in Alwin Komolong, Serritslev has retained the bulk of the team from the Solomon Islands tour in April.
In an interview with The National yesterday, the coach said he was happy with the composition of the team, which was dominated by players from  the two champion clubs in the National Soccer League — Hekari United and Lae City Dwellers.
He said he had followed the progress of the players from National Soccer League final series to OFC Champions League, and was satisfied with the players performance.
“I watched the whole OFC tournament and was impressed with the players, besides keeping note of the teams that would coming for the Nations Cup,” he said.
Serritslev said he had quality players and they had been training well in preparation to face New Caledonia, Tahiti and Samoa. “We are not afraid of any team because we got good players who are ready to give their best for their country when the Nations Cup kicks off,” Serritslev said.
David Muta will captain the team while Raymond Gunemba will be his assistant during the tournament.
PNG is pooled in Group A against New Caledonia, Tahiti and Samoa while Fiji, New Zealand, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu are in Group B.
PNG Nations Cup final squad: Goalkeepers: Ismael Pole, Leslie Kalai, Roland Warisan, Defenders: Valentine Nelson, Felix Komolong, Roland Bala, Philip Steven, Daniel Joe, Koriak Upaiga, Jeremy Yasasa, Sammy Cambell, Otto Kusunan, Midfielders: David Muta, Wira Wama, Alwin Komolong, Simon Emmanuel, Jacob Sabua, Michael Foster, Forwards: Raymond Gunemba, Nigel Dabinyaba, Patrick Aisa, Tommy Semmy, Obert Bika
Team management: Coach Flemming Serritslev, Assistant Coach Reginald Davani, Goalkeeper coach David Aua, Kit Manager Samson Peter, Physio Stanley Pokasap and Team Manager Wesley Waiwai.
Nations Cup draw (all matches at the Sir John Guise Stadium): Group A – Sun, May 29 – PNG vs New Caledonia, Tahiti  vs Samoa; Wed, June 1 – PNG vs Tahiti, New Caledonia vs Samoa; Sun, June 5 – Samoa vs  PNG, Tahiti vs New Caledonia.
Group B – Sat, May 28  – New Zealand vs Fiji, Vanuatu vs Solomon Islands; Tue, May 31 – Vanuatu vs New Zealand, Solomon Islands vs Fiji; Sat June 4 – Fiji vs Vanuatu, New Zealand vs Solomon Islands; Semi -finals – Wed, June 8;  Final – Sat, June 11.