PNG Kapuls

PNG Kapuls Coach Flemming Serritslev has returned to their training camp in Port Moresby to start their preparations.

Skipper David Muta, forward Tommy Semmy, defenders Koriak Upaiga and Daniel Joe have been released by their club Marist FC to join the camp.

They will be joined by Michael Foster, another Papua New Guinean player who plays as a midfielder for Marist’s rival club, Malaita Kingz FC in the semi-professional Telekom S-League in the Solomon Islands.

The first round of matches in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Qualifiers OFC Stage 3 has been confirmed with the Group B encounter Tahiti and Solomon Islands kicking things off on  November 7,  in Papeete.

Papua New Guinea and Fiji will sit out Round one of stage 3 with byes and rejoin the action in Round 2 of the games.

With Solomon Islands and New Caledonia will prepare for their upcoming encounters with two friendly matches in Honiara next month.

With the team spirit still on fire after the OFC nations Cup final last weekend, the Kapuls outdid Malaysia with a stunning victory with two goals from PNG's utility Tommy Semmy.

PNG bagged the first goals with a set play from Raymond Gunemba and Tommy Semmy.

Gunemba placed a left footy through for Semmy to easily slide the ball to the back of the net in the early minutes.

Minutes later, Semmy scored his second with a header that slipped off the goalkeeper's hand before he made a second attempt with a touch from the tip of his boots to find the net.

IFC- the producers of Besta products over the years have supported the PNG Football Association (PNGFA) through the sponsorship of the annual Besta FA Cup and the Besta Youth Development program run under the National Soccer League.

Sales and marketing manager of IFC, Roslan Wahed in presenting the cheque of K16,000 to the PNGFA said IFC was proud to sponsor this historic event that inspires grassroots soccer in PNG.

The second half grew more tense with the rowdy crowd begging Kapuls to score at least a goal but New Zealand defended well until nil all for fulltime.

Then, came the extra time as both sides look tired and weary but continue the fight but again went off scoreless on both halves of the game.

The moment of truth than pops in when the two teams chose their best to go for the shootout.

With an awesome crowd, it gave PNG team the boost to play with confidence against the favorites.

Thirteen minutes into the game, PNG flanker Micheal Foster found an opening to belt a powerful right footy into the goal to lead 1-0.

Samoans fought hard to cross into the PNG territory but faced a strong Komolong-brother combination that held them off the half-way line.

Raymond Gunemba then bagged the second goal for PNG in the 32nd minute with a stunning dribble in front of the goal mouth, avoiding the Samoan opponents before slotting it behind the net for 2-nil.

After leading 2-0 at half time, the host team added six more goals on the board, beating the helpless Samoans in a one-sided match.

PNG’s flanker Michael Foster opened the second half with his second goal before striker Nigel Dabinyaba added another point for a clear 4-0 lead.

Raymond Gunemba finds the net once again after a cross for his second to put PNG on the line for a decider to qualify as forward Koriak Upaiga sealed the deal with a chip over the goalkeeper for a 6-0 lead.

Raymond Gunemba's second goal straight after half time gavePNG a clear lead before Tahiti hit back with a  10 men team after captain Nicolas Vallar was sent off for a dangerous tackle to Raymond Gunemba.

Minutes later Tahiti slammed in two goals to level with PNG.

With just 15 minutes before fulltime Tahitian striker Teaonui Tehau slotted in the second goal from a corner from a nicely place kick  to see  the  find the net to force the draw.

Tahiti held off the attacking PNG side until the final whistle.

It was a tough match throughout the first half as Papua New Guineans gave the reigning champs a hard time driving through the back with the Komolong brothers Alvin and Felix partnering with sweeper  Danial Joe to maintain a strong backline.

Despite PNG Skipper David Muta and mid-fielder Jacob Sabua both given yellow cards, Sabua returned with a stunning comeback after the warning with a right wing cross that leaves Veteran Gunemba who swindled the ball with his left foot past the Tahitian goalkeeper.

PNG scored right on half time to  lead Tahiti 1-0.