Papua New Guinea U20 men’s football team has been finalised for the upcoming 2016 OFC U-20 championships in Port Villa (Vanuatu) from September 3 to 17.
There will be eight teams participating which includes Group A-Vanuatu (VAN),Fiji (FIJ),Papua New Guinea (PNG),New Caledonia (NCL) while Group B includes, Tahiti (TAH), Solomon Islands (SOL), New Zealand (NZL), Cook Islands (COK).
The PNG team has submitted their final list to the Oceania Football Federation (OFC) last week with some fascinating inclusions, and omissions to the team.
The final 19 men team named include: 1.Jonathan Pole, 2.Kenneth Pilailo, 3.Darius James, 4.Edward Joshua, 5.Gabby Yanum, 6.Peter Dabinyaba Jr, 7.Moses Tupa, 8.Gregory Togubai, 9.Stahl Gubag, 10. Jonah Iha,11. Giwi Simon,12.George Korei r,13. Alu Awi ,14.Jaggen Nalu , 15.Oswald Bade Forward, 16.Punchimil Kepiniu ,17.Winston Somasi , 18.Felix Komolong,19.Edward Lakae and (Coach) Peter Gunemba
Just like Vanuatu with Kalo, Papua New Guinea are able to call on experience though it’s at the back where Felix Komolong does his best work.
The lofty defender played every minute of the Kapul’s five OFC Nations Cup games in June and will be keen to keep Papua New Guinea football on the tips of tongues across Oceania once again with the U-20 team.
This time it's Felix taking on the role of 'most experienced' member of the squad but he's shown poise beyond his years on the pitch already this year and there is no doubt he will step up into the leadership role with ease.
Taking charge of the squad is Peter Gunemba and while this will be his first foray at the helm of a national team, the C Licence-holder is the father of Raymond and Meagan Gunemba who are the perfect product of their father's abilities.
The output from relatively unknown club Eriku Wawens, which is contributing three players to this squad, along with Rapatau, and one each from Chakalau and Bugandi is a sign that the power players of PNG football aren't the only ones focusing on developing football.