PNG survive Sam howler for first win

**Veteran striker Marie Kaipu in action for PNG. Kaipu scored the opening goal in PNG’s 3-1 win over Vanuatu.**

By PATRICIA KEAMO
BETTY Sam had midfielder Ramona Padio and forward Charlie Yanding to thank after the substitute’s goalkeeping howler invited Vanuatu back into the contest in Suva, Fiji, yesterday.
A second-half goal each by the pair helped Papua New Guinea to a 3-1 win over Vanuatu in the Oceania Football Confederation Women’s Nations Cup opener at HFC Bank Stadium.
PNG opened the scoring 33 minutes in after Vanuatu failed to clear their line, allowing skipper Meagan Gunemba set up Marie Kaipu for the finish.

**PNG skipper Meagan Gunemba trying to maintain possession as Vanuatu’s Annie Rose Gere applies pressure. PNG won 3-1.**

Vanuatu applied pressure on PNG’s defence, but they were unable to net a first-half equaliser as the Nicola Demaine-coached side held a slender lead at halftime.
Their high-intensity football continued in the second half, but PNG goalkeeper Faith Kasiray kept them at bay until a 60th-minute clearance saw her suffer a facial injury and was replaced by Sam.
Vanuatu took advantage of the change and continued attacking until Sam got a routine goal-kick all wrong.
Defending a high line, Vanessa Keletia could not believe her luck when the ball landed at her feet as she took advantage of the miskick to net the equaliser and pull Vanuatu back into the contest.
Fortunately, the equaliser was short-lived as player-of-the-match Padio’s strike rippled the net five minutes later.

**PNG forward Asaiso Gossie (right) in action against Vanuatu’s Limas Erikan.**

Demaine’s tactical changes proved successful as substitute Charlie Yanding surged past Vanuatu’s defence to score PNG’s third goal and seal the win.
Demaine said she was happy with the result as her side had come prepared for a winning start.
“We didn’t know what we were getting, given that we didn’t see any games of Vanuatu,” the Englishwoman said.
“It was a great challenge, a great game and a good start to the tournament to show what we can do.
“We’ve been working on making sure the shots we take are likely to go in, so I’m happy with the way they scored.
“We’ve got the win and experience, so we’ll review our performance and see how we go from there.
“But we’re doing well with our plans so far.”
Meanwhile, Demaine said Kasiray had been taken to the hospital for treatment with the extent of the injury yet to be ascertained.
PNG now have two days to recover and prepare for their final group fixture against Tahiti on Sunday.