Select side fall short to Kapuls

By LARRY ANDREW
LACK of match fitness from just a week’s training saw a Lae select side lose 2-5 to the national men’s football team in a friendly match at 11-Mile on Saturday.
The match was organised by the Papua New Guinea Football Association for the Kapuls to iron out their attack and defence for next month’s World Cup regional qualifiers in Qatar.
Picked from clubs in Lae, the select side could only score twice, thanks to Nigel Dabinyaba’s strikes either side of the break.
Morobe native Mathew David shone for the Kapuls as he scored a double in addition to a goal each by veteran Dwellers forward Raymond Gunemba, Lae City’s Stahl Gubag and Hekari United’s Ati Kepo.
Select side coach Peter Gunemba blamed the loss on the short preparation. “We lacked understanding and creativity in work as a team to create scoring chances,” coach Gunemba said.
“We failed to read the game, and were casual in defence and attack.
“The first half was good.
“But I think Raymond Gunemba created momentum for the national team.
“My players were deflated when the Kapuls scored their third goal.
“But I’m happy that they did their best against the national team.”
Meanwhile, after observing the match, Gunemba said the Kapuls had a good attack, but they needed to work on their defence leading up to the qualifiers.
“Our players need to adapt to Kapuls coach Marcos Gusmao’s strategy and formation before the qualifiers kick off,” he said.
He encouraged the Kapuls to be good ambassadors of the country while competing in Qatar.