The winner of this tournament will represent Oceania in the FIFA U20 World Cup in New Zealand next year.
PNG will have a tough competition against the host Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Solomon Island.
The team will travel to new Zealand on Monday 5th May and stay in New Zealand for 11 days before flying on to Fiji.
During their stay in New Zealand the team will play two lead up matches with the New Zealand U19 Men’s National Team on Thursday 8th May and followed on Wednesday 14 May and fly off to Fiji on the 19th May.
The OFC U-20 tournament kicks off on the 23rd of May and ends on the 31st May. The team has youth blended with experience with most of the players having participated in the OFC U-17 Championship last year in Vanuatu.
Nine of the squad are members of Besta PNG United FC showing once again the ongoing progress of the development programme at the PNGFA Academy in Lae.
Wynton Rufer the Coach Manager of the team said the team got a very good chance because the talent in PNG is outstanding which he have been surprised with.
“It is an exciting time for us as we build up towards the tournament in Fiji where the winner will represent Oceania in the FIFA U20 World Cup in New Zealand in 2015,” says Rufer.
The team is: Peter Dabinyaba, Jimmy Gibson, Issac Lalo (Lae FC); Steven Inia, Rodger Saking, Nicky Benjamin, Koniel Vagi, Joshua Talau, Papalau Awele, Nigel Malagian, Ayrton Yagas, Dirik Felix Komolong (Besta PNG United FC); Ferdahlas Namuesh, Frederick Simongi (Bugandi); Freddy Tupani (PNGFA Elite Academy); Abel Redenut (Mungkas FC); Randol Bongi (Wau); Danny Refi Kevin (Markham); Maya Bob (Panamex); Jonel Kambual (Nabasa). Team officials – Wynton Rufer (Coach Manager); Milan Miric (Assistant Coach Mentor); Reginald Davani (Assistant Coach); Samson Steven (Assistant Coach/Manager)