PNG Kapuls

PNGFA president, John Kapi Natto said the selection of the 30-men train-on squad was collectively done overtime by a team of experienced and upcoming national coaches consisting of coaches Bob Morris, Samson Steven, Erickson Komeng, Nathaniel Vincent and goalkeeping coach, Godfrey Baniau. 

PNGFA Technical Director, Paul Isorua and technical officers, Harrison Kamake and Margaret Aka, assisted the team of coaches.

“To be honest, I am very happy and honoured to captain the national team once again and I’m looking forward to leading the boys to the Pacific Games,” said Foster.

“It will be a challenging task for me to lead this bunch of boys, especially without regular captain David Muta and David Browne who were ruled out due to injury.

“However, I have been given a lot of support from my other senior teammates, including Koriak Upaiga, Raymond Gunemba, Daniel Joe, Nigel Dabinyaba and Alwin Komolong which takes a load off from my shoulders and I am playing the role well.

“The FIFA slogan is ‘My Game is Fair Play’ but unfortunately, we have not had fair play in the two last home matches.

“We have been refereed in a way that has been deciding for the match against Tahiti where David Browne was sent out. Last night, Felix Komolong was sent out in a very unfair way.

“I don’t know if referees don’t like Papua New Guineans. If they don’t do, I don’t understand it because Papua New Guineans are very humble and very polite people so there’s no reason not to like them.

The Kapuls were penalized in the first minute of play after a foul from captain Michael Foster on Micah Lea’alafa.

This gave the visitors the momentum in the opening minutes as they launched several raids.

But the Kapuls were able to withstand this and eventually found their way into their opponents’ half.

Left one on one with the keeper, Kapuls striker Nigel Dabinyaba nearly put the home side in front but Phillip Mango denied him twice at close range.

But coach Felipe Vega-Arango says his team will fight and push on as hard as they can to get the win over PNG.

“The first match was really intense. I don’t expect anything different. I guess this game is going to be very much the same as the last one.

“PNG are a good side, so I expect there to be another battle again,” said Vega-Arango

Solomon Islanders’ skipper Henry Fa'arodo Jr shared the same sentiment, saying this afternoon’s game will definitely be just as tough as the first.

Is this possible? Coach of the Kapuls, Flemming Serritslev, says yes.

“The starting points for the two teams couldn’t be much more different than the case is.

“The Solomon Islands know that one point will bring them to the regional final, whereas we would have to beat Solomon Islands 5-0 or five goals to go on to the next stage.

“I think everyone would say we’re on a mission impossible. But in football, anything can happen.

“Of course we believe we can do it,” said Serritslev.

PNG were under the pump from the start and the home side put themselves in front after 12 minutes when Atkin Kaua drove one past keeper Ronald Warisan.

Solomon Islands continued to dominate possession and a cross from Jerry Donga saw captain Benjamin Totori do the rest putting boot to ball to beat Warisan for the second time in the 37th minute.

Solomon Islands led 2-0 at the break.

PNG struck back three minutes into the second half through captain Michael Foster who powered a shot into the nets to start the fight back.

What happens when you put the two together?

For musicians, there’s always a purpose to their music, says Wayne Blasta Atasoa, a well-known bassist in PNG.

And one of such is a group of local musicians coming together to help raise funds for PNG’s national football team – the PNG Kapuls.

You’ve heard these names before: Mereani Masani, dAdiigii, Tarvin Tounie and O’Four.

The 21-year-old’s senior international debut against Tahiti at the Sir John Guise Stadium in March lasted only 22 minutes after he was red carded for a foul.

After serving a one match ban, Browne has now been given the clear by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee to wear the PNG colours against the Solomon Islands at Lawson Tama Stadium.

The Kapuls will play the Solomon Islands twice at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Qualifier- OFC Stage 3.

PNG will play Solomon Islands twice in June - on the 9^th and again on the 13^th - in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Qualifier - OFC Stage 3.

“Solomon Islands for sure is a strong team, I watched their match when they played Tahiti beating them 1-0.

“They have good individual players. Maybe we are playing a bit more team related where as they play more individual related.

“To win in the Solomon Islands, we have to do our very best,” said Serritslev.