PNG Kapuls

The hype is on after beating New Caledonia 1-0 in a physical and entertaining encounter at Suhaim Bin Stadium but despite Fiji’s big loss to New Zealand 4-0, the Kapuls should not take the Fijians lightly.

Team manager, Joseph Ealedona, said: “The team is faring well and will treat the game like a grand final match. This is the ultimate game as a win or draw takes us into the semifinals.”

Fiji will definitely come back fighting and both teams will run in with high hopes but only the better side will come home.

Team manager, Joseph Ealedona said it is the FIFA World Cup atmosphere in Qatar and the team is enjoying the moment but with focus on the first game against New Zealand.

He said it was a long flight with six hours to Singapore transit for three hours and took eight hours flight from Singapore to Doha. The team will take some rest today before getting into training.

The Kapuls are in Pool B up against New Zealand, New Caledonia and Fiji.

PNGFA President, John Kapi Natto when addressing the PNGFA Kapuls fundraiser dinner at the Dynasty restaurant on Thursday evening, thanked Prime Minister James Marape, Sports Minister Wesley Raminai and major sponsors among dignitaries for showing their support to the national men’s team.

Kapi Natto congratulated Kapul’s head coach Marcos Gusmao and his 30-man squad for making the final cut.

PNG Football Association President, John Kapi Natto has warmly welcomed Gusmao, who has taken up his new role straight after arrival.

“On behalf of PNGFA Executive Committee Members, management, MA presidents and supporters of football in PNG. I take this time before our Christmas period to warmly welcome our football instructor and Head Coach of the Kapul Men’s National squad, Marcus Gusmao all the way from Sao Paulo, Brazil, South America to our shoes,” Kapi Natto said.

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.