PNGFA wants squad to have ample trials

Sports

THE Papua New Guinea Football Association says it is keen to give national men’s squad members ample game time leading up to next year’s World Cup Oceania qualifiers in Qatar.
Association general secretary Pius Letenge told The National last Thursday that a series of selection trials for the national men’s team would be played before the final squad was selected for the Doha qualifiers.
“We really want to get the best out of this team, so we will be having in-country friendlies and a few internationals before the qualifiers,” Letenge said.
“There are a good number of young players and we want to make sure that everyone has a fair go while in camp.
“So we will be organising friendlies to make sure all our players have some game time.
“It will be a tough few next months, but we will be looking at how best we can get our team prepared.”
Meanwhile, Letenge confirmed that the majority of players from the 30-man squad had kicked off training in Lae last week with the group likely to stay in camp for the remainder of the month.
“As of this week, we have the majority of players in camp at Lae with the exception of a handful of men who have other commitments,” he said.