U17s long for respect
The National, Monday January 12th, 2015
PAPUA New Guinea’s Under-17 soccer side has a big task on hand as they prepare for the Oceania Football Confederation U17 championships, which start tomorrow in Apia, Samoa.
Eleven nations are competing to win a berth at the U17 World Cup in Chile later this year.
The tournament, which is jointly hosted by Samoa and American Samoa, will serve as the Oceania qualifier and is from January 13-27.
PNG coach Milan Miric and deputies Harrison Kamake and Hans Gewambing will be trying to improve the country’s standing in the age-group competition.
PNG’s best placing at an OFC U17 event was third in 2001 when they finished as best runner-up in the group stage behind Australia.
PNG’s propensity for causing an upset makes them an opponent worthy of respect.
PNG’s first match is against Cook Island tomorrow. Cooks Islands are under coach Delaney Yagona and will aim to do better than their last place finish two years ago.
Both teams are pool against the heavyweights New Zealand, Fiji and New Caledonia.
Miric said the team had been in camp since last November for the selection of a 20-man squad.
“The elite academy programmes in Lae, Port Moresby and the Centre of Excellence programme in Madang has played a big part in developing the next generation.
PNG U17s: Jerry Seriba, Tanaka Sigamata, Gregory Togubai, Martin Tokwakwasi (Port Moresby); Kusuga Komolong, Kenneth Pilailo, Bruno Kelena, Nickson Purari, Jacob Akus, Misty Laskam, Gary Pokas, Freddy Tupani (Lae); Livai Robin, Larsen Pasum, Sylvester Agat, Stahl Gubag, Brendon Kambual, Clive Samlal, Oswald Bade (Madang); Percy Mataio (manager), Milan Miric (head coach), Harrison Kamake (assistant coach), Hans Gewebing (assistant coach)