PNG to play Solomons

By PATRICIA KEAMO
THE national women’s team are gearing up for tomorrow’s friendly match against the Solomon Islands in preparation for their next Thursday’s Oceania Football Confederation Nations Cup opener against Vanuatu.
Comprising youth and experience, the 25-man squad and coach Nicola Demaine arrived in Suva, Fiji, on Wednesday.
Demaine told The National yesterday that she was confident that her side would put to test what they had worked on during their camp.
“We will be using the match to give as many players a run before the Nations Cup,” the Englishwoman said.
“I’ll be utilising plenty of substitutes during the game.
“It’ll be good to see how we perform against another team from the region.”
When asked how she felt after months of preparations, Demaine said she was eager to see the team in action.
“I am really excited to be finally here and to test out the things we have been working on,” she said.
“I was really pleased with our last few domestic friendlies and I’m confident that we will be impressive in the Nations Cup.”
Demaine said she was close to finalising her first 11 for the opener.
“I am almost done with the line-up, so this friendly will determine who makes the first 11,” she said.
“Unfortunately, we don’t have any time to have another friendly.
“So we’ll just work on our fitness and keep training for the opener,”Demaine said told The National.