Two goals from Kig via free kicks – one just three minutes into the game, the other in the third and final minute of additional time – secured a 2-1 victory for Papua New Guinea over New Caledonia, setting up a meeting with New Zealand in 23 January final.
After leading 1-0 for most of the match Papua New Guinea conceded an 85th minute penalty which allowed New Caledonia to draw even, and with just seconds left the match looked set to be decided via a penalty shootout.
At that point Kig stepped up to blast home a free kick from just outside the box, on one of the last kicks of the game.
“I was confident, when I walked up to the ball, I said to the ball ‘I am going to score this goal’, I even said a little prayer to myself,” an emotional Kig says.
“I just thought of my country and all of the girls who were behind me.
“I have always been quite good at it – kicking from outside the 18 yard box – I have always done it, so I knew I could score.
“I am really proud and thankful to my coach Margaret because she has helped me through all my pain.
“I can’t wait for the final now, I can’t wait to get out there and try and do it all again.”
According to Aka once the free kick was awarded she was always confident Kig would find the back of the net, given she regularly scores free-kick goals from distance at training.
“She is our best kicker and normally takes all of our set pieces,” Aka explains.
“She went down injured a few minutes before that last free kick and I was hoping she wouldn’t go off the field. But she stayed on and did well for us.
“I was praying that it would go in, and I thank Robertlynn for those two free kicks.”
Papua New Guinea face New Zealand in the tournament final tomorrow, with the match kicking off at 5pm local time.
For more on Papua New Guinea football visit www.pngfootball.com.pg

Share