2016 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup

The World Cup tournament will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand from October 27 to December 2, while Papua New Guinea will host the Kumuls’ three pool matches in Port Moresby.

PNG Kumuls will play their first pool match against Wales on October 28.

The second pool match is against Ireland on November 5 and the third match against the United States on November 12.

Sports Minister Justin Tkatchenko said 2017 is going to be a big year for rugby league especially now that PNG will be hosting the RLWC for the first time in history.

Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) president David Chung relayed the positive news from FIFA president Gianni Infantino. This was during his attendance at the FIFA Club World Cup match between Real Madrid and Club America at Yokohama Stadium in Japan on Thursday.

Chung said: “The FIFA president, FIFA head of competitions and staff, plus the head of delegation, have congratulated us.

“I am very happy and we all should be happy because they have never received such warm hospitality and support throughout the tournament.

Technical reports are published after each and every FIFA competition in order to analyse how the game is progressing.

The report is being compiled by a six-member Technical Study Group (TSG), headed by FIFA coach Vera Pauw, and drawn up by the technical development department of football's world governing body.

It contains a match-by-match analysis, detailed statistics as well as an appraisal of each team's performance.

Along with that, a DVD is produced containing the highlights of the tournament, including all the goals.

Baki congratulated the four soccer stars during the official opening of the Police Commissioner’s conference in Kimbe on Monday.

“I give credit to WNB also because you had a contingent going to the FIFA Games.

“The young women that came have a different perception of PNG. Before they came, their parents and guardians warned them about PNG but the three weeks they participated in FIFA changed their perception about PNG.

“So credit must also go to our people. On behalf of the police force I also want to say thank you to the people of PNG.

Coach Hwang Yongbong thanked the hotel staff that accommodated the team, the Local Organising Committee and the PNG Football Association for hosting them.

Yongbong was very happy and proud of his players for winning the tournament trophy.

The coach attributed the win to every player who played their part in contributing to the win against France on Saturday at the National Football Stadium.

The bronze playoff kicked off at 4pm at the National Football Stadium under fine weather conditions in front of a sold out Port Moresby crowd.

Both teams remain scoreless at half-time.

Japan, in white and blue uniform, had more ball possession and made more attempts than their opponents.

The Asian side is led by top goal scorer and captain forward, Yuka Momiki.

USA, in black and blue, are led by captain Mallory Pugh.

Haenni told local female sports journalists at a recent workshop hosted by the Women in News and Sport (WINS) program, in Port Moresby, that they have learnt a lot about the people and culture.

WINS hosted the workshop in conjunction with the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and participants were treated to a diverse range of FIFA speakers.

Haenni admitted that hosting the tournament in PNG was a little bit of a challenge at the start but they’ve all learnt a lot about the country in the past weeks.

Deputy chairwoman of the FIFA organising committee, Sonia Bien Aime, gave closing remarks on the tournament, saying she would like to commend the fans and supporters.

“I have been to many and I must admit that I was blown away and surprised, even I was told that the people are friendly, but what I have seen in the stadium is just amazing,” she said.

She added that she really didn’t know what to expect when she got here.

Despite missing out on the semi-finals, Germany Coach Maren Meinert highlighted that her team’s experience in PNG was memorable.

Meinert said overall, the tournament here was very well organised.

“We really liked to be here and we wanted to remain for one more week but unfortunately we have to go home.

“But it was great for the players to have the experience to play in front of the crowd in Port Moresby.

“And it was a great experience to be in the world cup and make it through to the quarterfinals,” the coach said.

Chavas received the award for her outstanding performance during the victory over Germany 1-0 in the knockouts of the tournament.

In the match, Germany kicked three shots on target out of 12 attempts.

Chavas did extremely well to help her team qualify for the semifinal by saving the three on target attempts.

Chavas was speechless after the match but said she was proud to receive the award.

“I didn’t expect to be awarded the Player of the Match, I just did my job and I’m very happy.”