PNGFA name women’s squad

THE final side for the PNG national women’s football squad to the Pacific Games in Noumea, New Caledonia, starting on Aug 27 to Sept 10, had been named.
The squad announced by the PNG Football Association has 11 players from the suspended Port Moresby Soccer Association participating in the National Women’s Soccer League this year.
Seven  are from Lae, two from the Highlands, two from Kimbe and another from Madang. 
The players’ names will be submitted to the Pacific Games Committee.
The squad: Fidelma Watpore (Lae), Linda Bunaga (Port Moresby), Linah Honeakii (Lae), Agai Max (Lae), Ruth Turia (Port Moresby), Helen Lebong (Kimbe), Katherine Salaiau (Port Moresby), Janie Nori (Port Moresby), Cecilia Dobbin (Port Moresy), Esther Kurabi (Port Moresby), Docas Sesevo (Lae), Jacqueline Chalau (Port Moresby), Deslyn Siniu (Port Moresby), Suzan Gurra (Port Moresby), Barbara Birum (Lae) Barbra Muta (Kimbe), Sandra Birum (Lae), Pauline Turakaur (Wabag), Zeena Limbai (Lae), Ramona Morris (Madang), Elen Taito (Lae), Ara Midi (Goroka), Samantha Peninsa (Port Moresby) and Francis Mandoni (Port Moresby).
Players on standby are Miriam Loma (Port Moresby) Defney Francis (Madang), Miriam Lanta (Port Moresby) Georgina Malagau (Goroka), Alexia Stephen (Madang) and Georgina Kaikas (Madang).
The team management comprises Steve Mune (head coach), Milton Gori (trainer), Margaret Taligatus (assistant coach and Rose Obi (team manager).
The players will be at the football academy in Lae next month for their final training camp.
Mune said the team would be concentrating on planned play, tactical moves, set plays – free kicks, corner kicks and other areas of their game during the camp.
“I plan to play fast football. The players will train to play fast so that they can unsettle their opponents.
“In terms of defence, the squad has the strength in the backs and attack but we need to have more possession of the ball to find the strikers,” Mune said.
The team will leave for the Gold Coast on Aug 10 for their final preparations and warm-up matches before heading to Noumea, New Caledonia.