Papua New Guinea rattled home six goals against Solomon Islands in the second match thanks to a hat-trick from Deslyn Siniu and a double from Jacqueline Chalau. Papua New Guinea showed they will be a handful at this tournament with Siniu, Chalau and Daisy Winas all showing clever touches throughout the match.

Daisy Winas was the chief destroyer for Papua New Guinea with a series of telling crosses that left the overworked Solomon Islands defence struggling to cope. Winas crosses found the tall figure of Siniu on several occasions causing Solomon Islands defence no end of problems with Siniu’s pace and technique providing an added attacking dimension for the host nation.

For the Solomon Islands defender Brenda Masae turned in a combative performance alongside fellow stopper Audry Jack but the lack of a proper preparation programme told on the team as the game progressed. Prudence Fula scored for the Solomon Islands to give her team some hope but an own goal from Audry Galo within seconds of the restart deflated the visitors. Solomon Islands afternoon of woe was compounded when skipper Diane Justus slammed a penalty wide late in the second half.

Papua New Guinea assistant coach Bob Morris said his team’s ability to get quality service into the penalty area from wide positions was an important feature of the victory with Daisy Winas a stand-out and Jacqueline Chalau and Deslyn Siniu in top form.

“We can be confident this team can do the job in the next game. The conditions have been very difficult to play in but I thought we adjusted to them well.”

Solomon Islands coach Noel Wagapu was philosophical in defeat.

“This is a big learning curve for us. Layda Samani did very well for us today. We tried to get the ball forwards to her but she just didn’t manage to get the shots away. This team has had to struggle against a range of obstacles – the conditions, our preparation and the recent tsunami. If we had more stamina, we may have been able to do more”

Diane Justus was disappointed with her missed penalty but said it summed up Solomon Islands afternoon.

“When Prudence (Fula) scored her goal we were all very happy because it brought us back into the game at 2-1. But the own goal and then the penalty miss were a blow for us. I tried to place it but I missed. Layda Samani did very well for us and that was pleasing.”

PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Roxanne KOMENG, Kathryn SALAIAU, Judith MICHAEL, Jacqueline CHALAU, Cathy AGUNAM, Tracey KIG, Daisy WINAS, Deslyn SINIU, Miriam LANTA, Lydia BARNABAS, Antonia SURAKE.

SUBSTITUTES: Cecilia DOBBIN, Regina SUI, Watio BAKI, Julie ALAU, Molong KUSUNAN, Paulyn NORMAN, Samantha PENINSA, Marion BUNAGA.

GOALS: Deslyn SINIU 3, Jacqueline CHALAU 2, own goal.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Regina KOSUI, Elsie RINGI, Brenda MASAE, Audry GALO, Margaret DAUDAU, Betty MAENU’U, Noelyn WAGAPU, Janet ALUFURAI, Diane JUSTUS, Prudence FULA, Layda SAMANI.

SUBSTITUTES: Helen SIKWA’AE, Ellen RAURAU, Rafe BELO, Samantha MAELAUA, Annie BWAKOLO, Mary DONGAI.

GOALS: Prudence FULA.

STANDINGS – MATCH DAY 1

PL. W. D. L. GF. GA. PTS. GD.

New Zealand 1 1 0 0 6 1 3 +5

Papua New Guinea 1 1 0 0 6 1 3 +5

Solomon Islands 1 0 0 1 1 6 0 -5

Tonga 1 0 0 1 1 6 0 -5

GOALSCORERS:

3 – Deslyn SINIU (PNG).

2 – Kirsty YALLOP (NZL), Wendi HENDERSON (NZL), Jacqueline CHADAU (PNG).

1 – Abby ERCEG (NZL), Zoe THOMPSON (NZL), Vasi FEKE (TON), Prudence FULA (SOL),

own goal.

REMAINING FIXTURES:

MATCH DAY TWO

WEDNESDAY 11th APRIL 2007

New Zealand vs. Solomon Islands

Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium,

Lae,

Papua New Guinea

Kick-off: 11:00am local time

Papua New Guinea vs. Tonga

Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium,

Lae,

Papua New Guinea

Kick-off: 1:30pm local time

MATCH DAY THREE

FRIDAY 13th APRIL 2007

Solomon Islands vs. Tonga

Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium,

Lae,

Papua New Guinea

Kick-off: 11:00am local time

Papua New Guinea vs. New Zealand

Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium,

Lae,

Papua New Guinea

Kick-off: 1:30pm