PNG Kapuls

Coach, Flemming Serritslev said the game was won in the same way as the first game last week in Port Moresby.

“This time, since we were equal in playing numbers, we had the upper hand for most of the match.

‘We knew that victory in the second match was absolutely necessary to continue in the World Cup qualifiers.

“Now that we have reached this first goal, our next goal is to beat the Solomon Islands in the Solomon Islands,” said Serritslev.

Serritslev added on that the feeling in camp was good and the team deserved the win.

Both sides had their fair chances of scoring but neither team was able to find the back of the net leaving the score at nil-all going into the break.

Returning from suspension, PNG’s striker Raymond Gunemba made his presence felt in a big way, firstly from his corner kick that found its mark through Patrick Aisa who headed the ball between two defenders and around goalkeeper Mikael Roche to break the deadlock in the 62^nd minute.

Ten minutes later, Aisa returned the favour flicking the ball to Gunemba who curled it over Roche to put PNG in front at 2-0.

PNG’s first game saw them go down to Tahiti 3-1 at the Sir John Guise Stadium last night.

Tuesday’s match will be played at Stade Pater in Pirae, Tahiti, in French Polynesia.

Tahiti sit on top of the pool after two wins from three games while the Solomon Islands are in second with one win and one loss. PNG brings up the rear being winless so far.

The current standings in Group B:

Tahiti (6), Solomon Islands (3), PNG (0).

Playing with 10 men after the 22^nd minute, PNG took a 1-0 lead at the break, but conceded three goals in the second half.

“It was a deserved win. They had more chances than we had.

“On the other hand, I have to praise my players for a strong physical performance being down to 10 men for I think 70-75 minutes. I think they fought the best they could,” said Serritslev.

Serritslev said PNG felt the hard pressure from Tahiti towards the back end of the game.

Both teams started strongly, but it was PNG who had more chances in the opening exchanges in front of a home crowd of 4, 209 spectators.

A foul on Patrick Aisa in the 9th minute presented PNG an opportunity to score and hit the lead.

Lining the ball up to take the kick just outside the penalty box, Netherlands-based striker, David Browne’s attempt just soared centimetres over the cross bar.

The PNG Kapuls will be banking on home crowd support to upset the much fancy Tahitians in the first leg of the Group B FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier. 

The return match will be played in Papeete, Tahiti on March 28.

PNG men’s team had been overshadowed by the women’s performance for a long time.

The PNG women’s are the Queens of Pacific soccer with consecutive Pacific Games Gold Medals to prove their supremacy.   

PNG Kapuls will feature in the OFC Stage 3 playoffs and take on Tahiti on the 23^rd of March in Port Moresby.

PNG senior men’s coach Flemming Serritslev on Monday announced his preliminary squad for the first match against Tahiti in Port Moresby at Sir John Guise Stadium.

Drawn in Group B with Tahiti and Solomon Island, PNG will be out to prove to both teams that beating them at home in the OFC Nations Cup last year is not by mistake.

PNG started off their preparation last month with the first training camp on the 25 January and the second training camp will be at the end of this month.

In a press conference yesterday in Port Moresby, Muta put it simply that the exodus of the nine Hekari players was to show their grievances over the current administration of football in the country.

“I want to make it clear that we didn’t step down from the national team because our sponsors John and Vonnie Kapi Natto told us to.

“We stepped down because we the players see that something really big is not right in the PNG Football Association (PNGFA).

With the kick-off for the first match a month away, Serritslev wants his players to get the little things right and understand their role in the game.

He has drafted six new players into the squad as they prepare for the OFC Stage 3 of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Qualifiers.

PNG Kapuls will meet Tahiti in the first match in March 23 in Port Moresby.

Serritslev said the new players are Samuel Kini, Emmanuel Airem, Greg Togubai, Sammy Campbell, Stahl Gubag and Kolu Kepo.