While all eyes are set on the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup teams’ arrival for the kickoff, the Papua New Guinea men’s national football team is about to create history tonight.
The team will face the regional football giants Iran (Team Melli) tonight in the international friendly at Shah Alam Stadium, in Malaysia.
It will be a David and Goliath battle with the 159th FIFA ranked and Oceania 2nd placed PNG Kapuls going up against the 27thth ranked Iran, and 1st in Asia, in the FIFA Coca-Cola World Ranking.
Iran’s last trial was in October 11 when they thrashed Korea Republic 1-0 in the FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers in Azadi stadium in Iran, while PNG’s last trial was a 2-0 victory against Malaysia after the OFC finals.
Prior to Team Melli’s next qualifying match against Syria, they are taking on PNG as a needed trial match, following the cancellation of their game against Thailand.
However, Team Melli will be missing four of their key players; goalkeeper Alireza Biranvand due to injury, Ando Teymourian for non-inclusion while Sardar Azmoun and Ehsan Hajsafi are suspended for one match each.
Kapuls will be banking on their international players Raymond Gunemba, Alwin Komolong, Felix Komolong and Nigel Dabinyaba, with Solomon Islands based players Tommy Semmy, Koriak Upaiga, Daniel Joe and Skipper David Muta.
The game will kick off at 8pm PNG time tonight.