PNGFA Technical Director, Mr. Marcos Gusmao said he is building a strong Women’s National team for PNG for the OFC Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament in PNG this year.
The PNG Women’s National Squad for the OFC Women’s World Cup qualifying tournament is going through an intensive training at the PNGFA academy in Lae under PNGFA Technical Director, Marcos Gusmao with the assistance of Max Foster and Sussie Mileng.
The squad played a trial friendly match with PNG Power, a local women’s team from Lahi Soccer Association in Lae at the last weekend wining 3 – 0.
Gusmao said he was very impressed with the girls’ performance at the trial match. But that’s not enough, he said, we need more work-out to improve on the weaknesses that were found in the trial match.
He said if all goes well with funding, the squad would travel to Brisbane for a further 3 weeks training in Australia. We are planning to play three international friendly matches with three different Australian women’s teams.
He said he would get a clear picture of the team after this and believes the team will be very strong and ready for the challenge in April 2007.
Gusmao said six new girls have been recruited to the squad this week to take up the spaces left behind by students who cannot continue with the training because of the new school year. I will do my best to make sure new girls catch up with the others he said.
I am planning another friendly match with PNG Power again to be played on Sunday this weekend at the PNGFA academy.