PORT MORESBY: The Papua New Guinea Football Association is full steam ahead in its preparations to host the 2004 OFC Under 19 Women’s Qualifying Tournament, set for Port Moresby from 21-25 April, 2004.
The dates were originally 17-25 April but were amended due to the late withdrawal of Fiji which now reduces the field of teams to four; Australia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
The PNGFA appointed tournament organising committee has confirmed Lloyd Robson Oval to host the qualifiers; the same venue which successfully staged the 2001 OFC Club Championship.
The Club Championship was also the last occasion for the PNGFA to host an OFC tournament and the locals are buzzing with excitement at the prospect of more international football coming their way. Last week, the PNGFA selected its national training squad to prepare for the qualifiers.
The winner of the tournament will represent Oceania at the 2004 FIFA U-19 Women’s World Championship in Thailand from 10-27 November. Australia qualified as the last representative at the inaugural U-19 women’s qualifiers held in Tonga two years ago. The `Young Matildas’ performed well at the 2002 FIFA U-19 Women’s World Championship in Canada making the quarterfinals.