PNG wary of hosts in group clash

PAPUA New Guinea coach Peter Gunemba holds New Caledonia in high esteem and believes it’s going to be one of the toughest challenges of the group against their hosts.
“The two most important games are our next two and in terms of New Caledonia, I believe they are a better team,” Gunemba said.
“In the 2015 Pacific Games final New Caledonia was a very good football team and I expect them to repeat the same here.
“They will want to take revenge because we beat them 1-0 in that game, and they will want to beat us, especially at home.”
PNG will play New Caledonia at 4 pm today (1pm PNG time) at Stade Yoshida Stadium in Kone, New Caledonia.
All eyes will be on the rematch of the 2011 and 2015 Pacific Games finals which has seen PNG twice edge New Caledonia for the gold medal.
The final which hurt the most was the 2011 edition which was played in New Caledonia, and while the bid for revenge in 2015 was unsuccessful, captain Celine Xolawawa remains optimistic about her side’s chances against their arch rivals in their Group A clash today.
“In 2015, we hoped to get our revenge because the loss on home soil was tough. But to lose twice in a row was particularly difficult,” Xolawawa said.
“On top of that, in 2011 we beat them in the pool play, but lost 1-0 in the final. It’s still right there in the memory bank.
“We know they are a team that is incredibly aggressive and strong, so we will take some hits I’m sure and the girls will have to remain calm, and we can’t be scared of any contact.
“It’s going to be an important match and they won’t give anything up and we can’t either.”
For Xolawawa, who was part of both of those unsuccessful campaigns, the chance for redemption is there. “I’m sure the girls, both the old and the new, don’t want a repeat of what we experienced in 2011 and 2015, we can’t have any regrets so I think we’ll give everything.
“This is the match we can’t lose.”
The cohesive performance from the injured captain’s teammates against Tahiti certainly helps put her mind at ease, but New Caledonia will need to be a little sharper for much longer periods if they want to contain the pace and unpredictability of their Melanesian opponents. – OFC