PNG, US keen to regain respect

PAPUA New Guinea Under-20 women’s soccer coach Lisa Cole says the final match against the US will be a test for her charges when they meet the Americans, who would be still smarting from their 5-0 loss to Japan.
The match is expected to attract a good crowd, with around 3000 turning out to watch the second clash of the Tri-Nation friendlies last Friday at the Sir John Guise Stadium.
“The match against the US will certainly be a test for the women, if they have learnt from the game against Japan,” Cole said. She described the international friendlies as good experience for her players, who played their first match against Japan last Wednesday, losing 10-0.
Cole said friendly matches were necessary because her side needed to know their strengths and weaknesses in order to formulate the best approach for the Fifa World Cup later this year.
Both teams will fight to restore lost pride, however, PNG will go into this match as underdogs.
PNG could be in for a torrid time from a pumped-up US side after the Americans were made to look ordinary by a clinical Japan three nights ago.
PNG earned direct qualification into the eighth edition of the Fifa U20 Women’s World Cup as the host nation and got a taste of world-class football against Japan and will finish off with the US match.
The US have participated in all seven U20 World Cups with three titles (2002, 2008, 2012) under their belt. The Japan U20 side departed on Saturday.