Unlike the success story of the national women’s team who have been dominant in the South Pacific region, the three-match tournament in Jakarta, Indonesia signifies a re-look at the men’s playing stocks by the PNG Football Association.
The promising aspect is that the PNGFA has done their homework to re-build at the youth level with the aim for these players to dominate the national team over the next two years.
With the tour being the first for the men’s team to play outside the parameters of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) for over a decade, it will be a golden opportunity for players to impress.
The team have have been camping together since last Sunday at the Academy in Lae and have worked positively and gelling well. During the week the team worked on ball possession and maintains the philosophy of playing out from the back.
The inclusion of Hekari United FC left back Koriak Upaiga and Gigira Laitepo FC midfielder Eluid Fugre from Lae will give confidence to the team.
Head coach Bob Morris said the preparation of the team leading up to the tournament was good and is confident in the team. With the team comprising of young side and not his first time working with them Morris believes the boys will do better at the tournament.
The PNG team is there at the invitation of the Indonesia Football Association and will play the Maldives on November 20, host Indonesia the next day and then Laos on November 24 at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Captain Koriak Upaiga said as a senior player playing with the U-23 side he thinks nothing is too hard and has faith that the team will do well in Jakarta.
The team off 22 players and the coaching staff arrived in Port Moresby on Sunday from Lae and left for Jakarta yesterday.
Squad list:
Goalkeepers:
Charles Lepani (PMSA)
Vagi Koniel (Wau)
Benjamin Wilbert (Besta Utd FC-Lae)
Defenders:
Koriak Upaiga (Hekari Utd FC-POM)
Daniel Joe (Hekari Utd FC-POM)
Kila Polena (Hekari Utd FC-POM)
Peter Yang (Besta Utd FC-Lae)
Roland Bala (FC POM)
Philip Steven (Besta Utd FC-Lae)
John Ray (PMSA)
Jason Farock (Besta Utd FC-Lae)
Midfielders/flankers: Eluid Fugre (Gigira Laitepo FC-Lae)
Max Sengum (FC POM)
Vanya Malagian (FC POM)
Darren Steven (Besta Utd FC-Lae)
Jacob Sabua (Besta Utd FC-Lae)
Roland Conn (Hekari Utd FC-POM)
Strikers:
Tommy Sammy (Besta Utd FC-Lae)
Nigel Dabinyaba (Hekari Utd FC)
Patrick Aisa (PMSA)
Raynard Yohan (Hekari Utd FC-POM)
Team officials:
David Brand – head of delegation
Bob Morris – head coach
Trevor Ire – assistant coach
Giovani Fernandes – coaching mentor
Reginald Davani – assistant coach
Steven Samson – assistant manager
Philip Keriaka – physio
John Pangkatana -media