The squad camped at the PNGFA Academy in Lae between 27th January and 31st January where it went through a structured defensive and attacking tactical preparation under the watchful eye of assistant coach Hans Gewebing.
“Our team comprises a blend of youth with experience and we are confident of doing well in the OFC Championship,” Gewebing says.
“We’ve been working hard over the last couple of weeks to get the girls into competitive shape,” he added.
If any coach knows the potential of this side, its Gewebing who can draw on his own experiences as a PNG international player.
It was on the 31st May, 1997, that Gewebing lined up for his country in a famous 1-0 win over New Zealand’s All Whites in Port Moresby in a FIFA World Cup qualifier, a result that is now a part of Papua New Guinea football folklore.
Another famous face familiar to Papua New Guinea sports fans is that of Moe Koime.
Koime, the team’s strength and conditioning coach, is an Olympic sprinter and multiple gold medal winner at the South Pacific Games.
Team Manager, Miriam Lanta, 41, is still an active footballer with Northern Crusaders and skippered the senior team at the South Pacific Games in New Caledonia three years ago.
The U-20 Women’s Championships is significant proving ground for the participating teams as they seek to qualify for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada in August.
Discipline is a vital ingredient for the PNG U-20 Women as they try to overturn a competition dominated by New Zealand since 2006.
The team will departs on the 11th February to New Zealand a week earlier in preparation for the opening match against Tonga on 18th February.
Papua New Guinea U-20 Women’s Squad
Lace Kunel
Lavina Hola
Talitha Irakau
Carolyn Obi
Bridget Kadu
Grace Jessem
Diana Dabinyaba
Karen Romo
Natasha Kaski
Rumona Morris
Dinna Awele
Grace Steven
Marie Kaipu
Joy Tsuga
Yvonne Gabong
Alisandra Aipi
Meagen Gunemba
Georgina Kaikas
Nicolla Niaman
Staff:
Rachael Wadunah (Head Coach)
Hans Gewebing (Assistant Coach)
Mae Koime (National Strength and Condition Trainer)
Miriam Lanta (Team Manageress)
Philip Keriaka (Physio)
Ends