Papua New Guinea coach Marcos Gusmao has downplayed Papua New Guinea’s chances of qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup – China 2007 despite being installed as one of the tournament favourites by an expectant local media. Gusmao says the team has been in preparation since mid-January but had still undergone some radical changes ahead of the tournament.

“I have had to renovate this team with new players and this tournament will not be easy for Papua New Guinea. I have five senior players that make this team competitive but some of the others are very young. But we are confident of making some good performances and we were happy with the result against Solomon Islands and Tonga,” Gusmao said.

Papua New Guinea assistant coach Bob Morris agreed and named hat-trick hero Deslyn Siniu and her strike partner Jacqueline Chalau as potential match winners with wide midfielder Daisy Winas and Cathy Agunam as others the team would look to for inspiration.

“Daisy is a very good crosser of the ball and up front Deslyn, Jacqueline and Cathy can score goals. They have all worked very hard with Marcos to be ready for this tournament,” Morris said.

Papua New Guinea were in red-hot form against Solomon Islands but struggled for the same sharpness in front of goal against a tough Tonga side. Morris hinted that Papua New Guinea may adopt a more defensive approach against New Zealand on Match Day 3 but added nothing would be set in concrete until the coaching staff had spent time analysing the video of the two New Zealand matches.

“It is possible we may change the way we play but this decision will not be made straight away. New Zealand is a tough team and today we struggled in front of goal. But anything can happen and we have an opportunity,” Morris said.