Having met Thailand in a two-match friendly series in March, which they lost 7-0 and 11-1, this time around Phillips is hoping to see some marked improvement from his squad which held their second camp of the year in late April.
As he continues to build the foundations for the team’s campaign to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, Phillip’s squad reflects his desire to assess the country’s up-and-coming talent – some of whom could play a key role as the team gears up for the XV Pacific Games in Port Moresby.
Three new faces have been named with two players based offshore. Striker Ramona Quintina Padio joins the squad from Kimbe with Belinda Giada from Ramu and Joelyn Hehul Aimi joining in from Wewak. The two offshore-based players are Abigayle Mette from Australia and Lucy Maino from the USA.
The team will be led by the experience of Deslyn Siniu and Dorcas Sesevo and with the inclusion of Sandra Birum and Yvonne Gabong, who missed out on the first friendly, the team will have good support in the centre.
Phillips said the side had a good balance of pace and power, experience and enthusiasm but challenging teams like New Zealand and other outstanding teams in the region and further afield, his side needs to keep the ball better, as ball possession is always the key in modern football.
Papua New Guinea are currently ranked 50th in the world, a significant 21 slots further down the ladder than their Thailand opponents who are currently ranked 29th.
The Papua New Guinea squad will leave for Thailand on 16 May and spend just over two weeks there before returning home on 2 June.
Papua New Guinea women’s team:
Lae:
Fidelma Watpore
Judith Gunemba
Dorcas Sesevo
Georgina Kaikas
Fatima Rama
Grace Steven
Kesai Kotome
Sandra Birum
Jenisa Ulengit
Meagen Gunemba
Carolyn Obi
Belinda Giada
Joelyn Aimi
Madang:
Lace Kunei
Talitha Irakau
Nicolla Niaman
Port Moresby:
Deslyn Siniu
Marie Kaipu
Yvonne Gabong
Aida Gerota
Ramona Padio
Australia:
Abigayle Mette
USA: Lucy Mette
Non-Travelling Reserves: Vali Alisandra Aipi, Lavinia Hola, Gloria Laeli, Margaret Joseph, Bridget Kadu, Michaella Kurabi, Barbara Muta
For more on Papua New Guinea football visit www.pngfootball.com.pg