PNG U17 side in camp

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By KEVIN TEME

A YOUNG boy’s dream of representing his country is not too far away after he was named in the PNG Football Association U17 train-on squad for the Oceania Football Confederation U17soccer tournament in Auckland, New Zealand.
It was mixed feeling for Warwick Wilson Green who boarded a midday flight yesterday for Lae to train at the PNGFA soccer academy at 9-Mile.
Young Green has never left his mum but yesterday opened up a new chapter for the lad who will be fighting for a spot in the final squad for the event slated for Jan 8-9.
For Warwick to make the final squad, he must impress the selectors during the training camp in Lae which starts this week.
This is will also be the first time for Warwick to leave mum and the comfort of his home for a long while.
“My son has never left me for the last 11 years. The only time he left me was when he was only five-years-old and had to with his aunt to Kutubu, Southern Highlands.
“He stayed there for two weeks. Now, he will be in Lae for more than a month and I am lost for words. I will miss him so much,” a very emotional mum, Bilu Green said of her son’s departure.
Warwick will be in Lae for rest of this month and next month before returning to Port Moresby.
His family at Hohola is saddened by his departure.
The second born from a family of two, his elder brother, Lloyd talks very highly of younger brother when it comes to soccer.
“He has potential and, hopefully he will get what he is aiming for,” Lloyd said.
When Lloyd was asked of his feelings towards Warwick, he said: I will miss him so much. I know mum and I, including our relatives here in Port Moresby will miss him but we wish him well, and hopefully he comes back with his heads high.
Warwick is among 20 elite U17 players undergoing an intensive nine weeks of training in Lae.
They will join other players from Momase, Highlands and the New Guinea Islands region who are already in camp.
A final squad will be announced in January.
The PNGFA train-on squad announced early last week: Green, David Madai, John Ealedona, Junior Seriba, Chuckster Aopi, Arton Yagas, David Brown, Samson Peosi, Isaiah Humia, Abel Rednet, Rodly Mago, Cody Tom, Numa Kila, Chris (goal keeper), Charlie Lepani, David Taylor, William Kanawi, Junior Ibuna, Septeen Tsuga and Ernest Kilalang.
PNG has been drawn in pool A with American Samoa, Fiji and Vanuatu while Pool B has the Solomon Islands, the Cook Islands, New Caledonia, Tahiti and Tonga.