PNG staunch

By HENRY MORABANG
PAPUA New Guinea coach Lisa Cole is confident her charges will give their best in their Under-20 women’s soccer World Cup opening match against Brazil at the Sir John Guise Stadium on Sunday night.
“We are still behind the rest of the teams in experience but we will give our best and learn along the way,” Cole said.
She said the progress over the last nine months was remarkable.
“Our fitness standards are better and our game quality has improved,” the former US goalkeeper said.
“I am very proud of this crop of  players.
“They have come from all over the country, from different walks of life, to represent PNG.”
Cole said the future of PNG women’s soccer was bright but warned that expecting great results from her group of players at a world tournament were unrealistsic.
She said anything was possible and the team would fight for a result but that should not be the expectation.  Cole said the expectation should be that the team improves moment by moment, half by half and from the start until the end.
She told her team to stay organised and defend hard.
“PNG must make the other teams fight for everything and keep ourselves in the game for as long as possible.”
Cole admitted Brazil were on another level but playing in front of the home crowd would do wonders for the confidence of her charges.
Cole said the South American powerhouse had a reputation for coming in to tournaments a little under-prepared and then improving as the event wore on but she added that the home side certainly were not taking anything for granted.
“They have been in camp and very well could be champions at the end. It will be a great challenge for our group and we’re looking forward to the game,” she said.
Brazil coach Doorival Bueno said he would be counting on US-based Lais Dos Santos Araujo to lead the team from midfield. Other players who are expected to shine for Brazil include Adailma da Silva Santos, Kelen Bender and Gabriella Nunes da Silva.