PNGFA to hold selection trials for U19 men’s team

By PATRICIA KEAMO
A SELECTION trial for the national men’s team will take place this week in Lae and Port Moresby before the naming of a final 23-man squad for next month’s Oceania Football Confederation Under-19 Championship in Tahiti.
Papua New Guinea Football Association technical director Paul Isorua told The National yesterday that trials for the Highlands and Northern will be held in Lae while Port Moresby will host players from Southern and the New Guinea Islands. After the final squad is announced, they will have less than a month to prepare for the Sept 7-24 tournament which serves as the qualifier for next year’s U20 Fifa World Cup.
About 40 players are expected to attend the trials before 23 will be selected through the association’s criteria that comprise the technical, tactical and physical attributes of a player. “Although the preparation time is limited, we will do our best to ensure wider participation,” Isorua said. “Since time is crucial, we aim to get the trials done quickly and get the selected players into scheduled training programmes.
“Member associations are asked to support their players by funding travel costs to the trial locations while the association will help with accommodation and meals.
“Head coach Anthony Pakakota and his coaching staff aim to finalise and announce the squad by this weekend following the week-long trials in Lae and Port Moresby.
“According to tournament organisers (confederation), we’re looking at 23 players for the travelling squad. That includes three goalkeepers and 20 infield players.”
The two finalists from the tournament – which includes 11 countries in the region – will qualify for the World Cup in Indonesia.
PNG is pooled with hosts Tahiti in Group B along with Fiji and Tonga.