PNG Lakatois

The team left yesterday for Auckland via Brisbane, Australia.

She said the camp in New Zealand is part of the on-going preparations for the opening match against Panama on February 18, 2023.

“We have a young team and they need support from everyone despite people have difference opinions on the make-up of the team,” she said.

The former PNG women’s captain said this is first time in the women football history. it’s a milestone of women football and we must get behind and throw our support to the team.

They were present with some of their teammates at the Madang Soccer Association grand final matches, which started on Saturday and ended yesterday at Laiwaden Oval.

Gabong, a local girl from Nabasa Street, said she was excited to be home in her capacity as co-captain of the PNG WNT, where she encouraged more young girls to take up soccer.

“There are challenges in life but if you are passionate about football, you can achieve the dream like we (PNGWNT) have achieved,” she said.

“It’s about passion and personal sacrifice to achieve something in life.”

The first stop will be in Madang tomorrow, 13 August. Madang was chosen ahead as the first port of call this weekend ahead of Lae because of uncertainty in election-related problems currently experienced in Morobe Province capital, Lae. 
Depending on the situation in Lae, the OFC Nations Cup tour will visit Lae before heading to the Highlands region.

The planned tour is to help promote women’s football who have played extremely well to win the Cup beating Fiji 2-1 in the finals at HCF Bank Stadium in Suva, Fiji a fortnight ago. 

The seven women, including team captain, Meagen Gunemba, were warmly welcomed by the Lae business community at the Lae International Hotel, where they were applauded for elevating the nation and especially Morobe. They fought tooth and nail to bring the OFC nations cup home.

Captain Gunemba, her six teammates and coach Edna Thomas were given a rousing welcome at the Lae International Hotel poolside before they were ushered into the conference room by a singsing group.

The team arrived to a rousing reception from PNGFA officials, players, sponsors, families and football fans at the Jackson International airport terminal.

After previously finishing as runners-up on three occasions, PNG finally came home as champions, after they were crowned champions of the Oceania Nation Cup. Apart from securing the trophy, the girls have also qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Play-Off Tournament.

The Governor General and Lady Emeline Dadae had earlier shared a short video on the

Government House Facebook page cheering and congratulating the women’s soccer team for advancing to the final match with Fiji.

Grand Chief Sir Bob, a soccer fan and enthusiast, has been following the women’s team’s progress closely and watching every match on television.  

Marape said it was the "best news" for PNG after a week of bad news about election-related violence.

"Papua New Guinea wanted something to be happy about, especially after all the bad news about election-related violence, and that's exactly what our young women soccer stars delivered tonight," he said.

"We came together as one people, one country, one nation tonight.Our young women warriors united us all after all the disunity caused during the elections.

"I joined in with the rest of the country watching the game and am one very proud Papua New Guinean.

He said PNG’s young women soccer stars were the “best news” for PNG after all the bad news about election-related violence.

“Our young women are indeed a breath of fresh air for PNG after all the gloom and doom stories about election-related violence,” he said.

“Today, I join with the rest of our nation in celebrating the win of our women’s soccer team, who have brought great pride to us all.”

Meagen Gunemba’s two second-half goals, either side of Samoa having a penalty saved, secured the win after Charlie Yanding had given PNG a first-half lead.

While Samoa were intent on playing out from the back, Papua New Guinea were happy to press them in midfield, continuously winning the ball as a consequence.

Early chances followed for PNG, Gunemba heading over and Samoa goalkeeper Ronisa Lipi making a sharp save from Sonia Embahe.

Ramona Padio’s first-half penalty and Meagen Gunemba’s second-half breakaway finish ensured PNG advance as group winners despite Tahiti’s late penalty.

Both sides peppered each other’s goal with long range strikes early on, Hinavainui Malfatti hitting the target for Tahiti while Gunemba and Rayleen Bauelua tried their luck for PNG.