PNG U-17 squad eye championship upset

A spot in the FIFA U-17 World Cup would be the ultimate reward for the hard work PNG U-17 coach Harrison Kamake and his squad have put in since November of last year.

Kamake said, his team began training in November 2016 in preparation for the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) U-17 Men’s Championship.

Their objective for this tournament is to reach the final.

“Our team comprises a blend of youth with experience and we are confident of doing well in the OFC Championship,” said Kamake.

This will be PNG’s seventh OFC U-17 Championship with qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in India in October this year.

The PNG U-17 team will arrive in Auckland on January 19 ahead of the OFC U-17 Men’s Championship for a few lead-up matches against the New Zealand U17 national team and the Fiji U17 national team.

They will spend two weeks in New Zealand and leave for Tahiti on February 7 for the OFC U17 Men’s Championship.

“I think we have the players to win the tournament. It comes down to them. If they go in there and play according to the way we want to (it is possible).

“So far I am happy with the way our preparation has been going and with the few lead-up matches in New Zealand will be helpful  for us to see where our strength are as a team,” said Kamake.

PNG shares Group A with New Caledonia, Tahiti and Vanuatu.

PNG will play their first game against New Caledonia on February 11 and Kamake knows how important the first game is to start the competition.

“We have respect for all our opponents. They are all good teams. The first game against New Caledonia will be the hardest but we have to fight for every point,” said Kamake.

The PNG U-17 squad: Alben Pukue, Abraham Allen, Barthy Kerobin, Charley Ningikau, Dunstan Jamua Jeffrey, Dopson Noi, Emmanuel Simongi, Emmanuel Yopiyopi, Freeman Giwi, Graham Berigami, Jonathan Allen, Kimson Kapai, Milton Karu Biwa, Oberth Boram Simon, Ricky Clyde Wadunah, Samuel Jeremiah Detnom, Sylvester Wafihunia Luke, Thomas Kongragle, Wolfram Kob Gregory and Yagi Yasasa.

 

 

Author: 
Troy Taule