US-based Essacu excited to represent his country

PAPUA New Guinean Gimale Essacu who currently plays for Western Illinois University in the United States is excited to receive the call to play for his country at the Oceania Football Confederation Olympic qualifier.
“It’s my fourth year playing in the US and the level is very high,” 20-year-old Essacu said.
“But I’m excited to play alongside the boys together as a team.
“We have a very good group of players in the team, who are very young and talented.
“Our aim is to advance from the group stage and see what happens next.”
Essacu debuted for PNG at 2015 Pacific Games which doubled as an Olympic Qualifier and saw them advance to the semifinal.
This is his second qualifying campaign and he is now a lot older and wiser.
He is one of two overseas-based players initially named in the squad.
Essacu’s fellow countryman, Felix Komolong, withdraw due to school commitment. Essacu transferred from Otero Junior College in his junior year to Western Illinois University.
In his freshman year (2016), he was named in the All Region side after scoring five goals and assisted another five.
“I believe that the goal for this year’s Under-23 team will be to push out of the group stage and see what happens,” Essacu said.
“Football’s a crazy game so you really never know, especially once we get out of the group stage.” – OFC