Women’s soccer team making final preps

PNG Women’s coach Frederica Sakette and her counterpart Margaret Aka have gotten down to the business of vital preparations before the team leaves for the Pacific Games in Samoa next month.

“The preparation has been going really well,” said assistant coach Aka. “The players are working hard and with the full team together it’s easier to work with everyone.

“We have 23 players in this final two-week camp in Port Moresby, which kicked off last Monday, where the players have been put through their paces in fitness drills and a handful of field training sessions.

“The main focus last week is on attacking and defending so we can see where the players are and see what we need to improve, as well as what they need to do on their own,” said Aka. “This week the focus will be on set pieces and positional play.

“I see the team is very balanced in terms of positions and we have enough players to cover each other, however it will be a massive task for us, especially knowing that Fiji is in our pool.

“Fiji beat us 5-1 in the OFC Nations Cup semifinal in New Caledonia last year and they’ll be looking to repeat that again but we are preparing hard to be on top against them.”

Sakette and Aka have brought in veteran Deslyn Siniu to provide her leadership and support to the younger girls.

“We are glad to have Deslyn in the team with support from US-based Lucy Maino and other couple of experienced players to take the lead.

“The atmosphere in the camp has been positive, everyone coordinating well and talking to each other, encouraging each other so that’s a good sign that we have a team that can play together as a team when we come to game time,” Aka said.

The aim of the team is to return back home with the gold medal and defend their title as the Queen of the Pacific.

Author: 
Press release