Soccer

The team left for Sri Lanka on Wednesday March 13, 2024, to participate in the FIFA Pilot Project friendly tournament. The team will have a four-day camp in Brisbane, Australia enroute to Colombia, Sri Lanka.

Semmy withdrew from the Sri Lanka trip due to his Melbourne Knight FC's commitment. Head coach Warren Moon has replaced Semmy with Joseph Waiwai.

Papua New Guinea Head Coach Warren Moon announced a 23-man squad for the upcoming FIFA Series in Sri Lanka. The squad comprises most of the regulars but without the veteran players.

Commenting on this, Moon said the door is still open for them and other players for the Nations Cup in June and also the World Cup qualifier at the end of this year.

The National Women's Soccer team takes the field under new head coach Eric Komeng.

With the new coach come the new ways of doing things. As such, Komeng has emphasized team effort to get the job done.

“It’s a team effort. We just need to put the team together because our team effort is more important than anything,” said Komeng ahead of their first match.

He added that without the former Coach Sakete and one of the most valuable players, Romano Padio in the tournament, things would look different but he remains confident with the talent he has assembled.

The tournament kicks off on Wednesday, February 7^th, and ends on the 19^th.

Former captain Ramona Padio is missing the tournament for personal reasons. Replacing her is veteran Marie Kaipu.

Barcelona are third in the table on 44 points, 10 behind leaders Real Madrid and eight adrift of second-placed Girona.

"I'd like to announce that as of June 30 I will not continue as Barca coach," he told a press conference after meeting with club president Joan Laporta for over half an hour.

"It is a situation of common sense and I have decided that on June 30th I will not continue as Barca coach.

The German announced on Friday he would leave Anfield at the end of the season.

Klopp, 56, said he realised his "resources are not endless" as his side continue to compete for four trophies this campaign.

"With all the responsibility you have in this job, you have to be top of your game," Klopp said.

"I've been doing this 24 years now. When you have the career I had it's almost impossible to start where I did and arrive at Liverpool.

Hekari United, alongside Fijian side Labasa FC, are among six confirmed teams, with representatives from New Caledonia and Vanuatu yet to finalize their participation. The expansion of the tournament to eight teams this year reflects the burgeoning interest and growth of women’s football across Oceania.

The competition will feature two groups of four teams each, engaging in a round-robin stage. The top two teams from each group will progress to the semi-finals, setting the stage for intense matchups.

The senior men and women, under 17 and under 12s are well underway for the final placing. 

Following the quarter-finals will be the semi and grand final coming up on Monday of 1^st January 2024.

As well as bringing an end to the 10th-anniversary celebration of the Wawens Cup, the biggest off-season soccer tournament in Lae, Morobe Province.

PNGFA president John Kapi Natto wants to help improve the situation and is urging participating teams to take ownership of the Women’s Soccer League initiative, so the Women’s Football can grow.

Although the WNSL concluded its second year since its inception in 2022, the Soccer League is yet to attract followers to the event. This was evident in the grand final match yesterday at the PNG Football Stadium in Port Moresby.

PNG Football Association reported that outside teams could not travel into Port Moresby on time due to all flights fully booked and no flights were available for the weekend. 

The decision to postpone the WCSL grand final was made in consultation with competition management and the new date has been set for Sunday October 29.

In the WCSL grand final, Hekari United will play Lae City Dwellers from Morobe while Mommor FC from Wabag plays North Bougainville FC for placing.