PNG off to flying start

A 7-2 demolition of Samoa in their first match of the Oceania women’s Olympic football stage one qualifiers yesterday in Tonga sees PNG firm as clear favourites to make it to the next stage against New Zealand later this month.
The Samoans had no answer against PNG’s fast pace with the Pacific Games champions shooting out of the blocks after 12 minutes of play to lead 2-0 through goals to strikers Fatima Rama and Linah Honeakii.
But Samoa pulled one back in their first real attack of the game when Lanuola Mulipola broke through the defence and slotted the ball past Linda Bunaga in the 19th minute.
Two late first half to Honeakii and Rumona Morris could have broken the Samoans but once again they showed spirit to claw their way back to 4-2 through Tamasailau Leuta with 20 minutes to play.
In the end they couldn’t hold on against the favourites as Daisy Winas found the back of the net after 86 minutes before Sandra Birum scored a quick-fire double.
Samoa coach Tala Salamasina paid full credit to their opposition.
“They were a far better team on the day but we gave them a fright at 2-1 in the first half,” says Salamasina.
Papua New Guinea coach Steven Mune was subdued after the match despite the favourable scoreline.
“I think we played well at times but not for the entire match. There are definitely still things to work on.”
His side will square off against Tonga at 1pm tomorrow before Samoa and Vanuatu meet at 3.30pm.
In the day’s other match hosts Tonga made short work of Vanuatu winning 5-2 with local star Piuinga Feke scoring a hat-trick.
Tonga scored two goals in the first half and were cruising after an hour when Feke converted her third one-on-one opportunity to give the home side a five goal advantage.
Vanuatu looked vulnerable trying to keep a high back-line and were out-muscled all over the pitch but, to their credit, scored two late goals through some clever counter-attacking football.