Warm up matches planned for FIFA U20 World Cup team

International warm up matches have been planned for the PNG U20 women soccer team leading up to the FIFA World Cup which is to run from Nov 13 to Dec 3 next year in Port Moresby.

PNG Football Association president David Chung confirmed plans are underway for lead up matches against local clubs in Thailand, Japan, Korea and United States.

Chung said with the government’s assistance of K2 million through the National Gaming and Control Board, they will be able to carry out their training programs in preparation for the World Cup.

PNGFA has appointed Lisa Kou from the United States as the national coach. She will be in the country on 26 Nov and will be staying with the girls in camp until next month.

The team is staging its trial camps at the National Sports Institute in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province.

Coach Kou returns from the States in January  and will be full time coaching the team.

The train-on squad of 30 players will be finalised by next month and that will be trimmed down later  to the final squad.

“Currently we are still doing trials so we haven’t finalised the full team.

“The training will consist of a few months of intensive training and then they will have to travel a lot to attend international warm up matches for exposure,” said Chung.

Team officials and PNGFA will be in talks with the parents to negotiate with them and the schools on whether the players will be able to leave school for a year and fully concentrate on training.

Author: 
Quintina Naime