SIX Women’s Oceania Championship (WOFC) wining players have been dropped from PNG Women’s National team’s Football (PNG WNT) final training squad that departed PNG today (05th December, 2022) to Australia.
The PNGWNT head coach Spencer Prior named the 26 players to attend training camp in Sydney, from December 6-26, 2022. The squad is without former co-captain and WOFC golden booth winner Meagan Gunemba, fellow strikers Sonia Embahe and Seguale Zake, midfielder Sandra Biruai, defender Sera Waide and goal keeper Fidelma Watpore.
The omission of the players has seen new faces taken into the squad by Coach Spencer who will play Philippines Women’s national team in Sydney. The Philippines women’s team have already qualified for the 2023 Womens FIFA World Cup will be a test for PNG.
“We are very pleased to have hosted the planned trial match in Port Moresby last week to select 26 players to come into the next training camp in Sydney which will include 2 international friendlies with a very tough Philippines Women’s National team. Amongst the 26 players 10 players who remained and trained in Port Moresby during the 1st training block in November 2022 were selected. The players have potential and I believe that they will integrate well with the rest of the players returning to Sydney. showed potential performed up to expectations in the recently organized trial match held in Port Moresby; hence, were named in the squad of 26. ’From this training block, a final squad of 23 players will be selected to undergo the final training block in New Zealand in January 2023 in preparation for the 2023 FIFA World Cup play-offs in February 2023,’’ Coach Spencer.
Coach Spencer is also pleased that all national staff members were being given equal opportunities to participate and contribute to the team’s preparation programs in the different training blocks. He said this was important as national coaches and managers have the opportunity to develop their skill sets and better understanding of high-performance training programs of which will no doubt be a huge benefit towards the development of football in PNG in future.
Squad lists Name
Goal keeper: Faith Ethel Karisay, Betty Sam
Defenders: Olivia Upaupa, Lavinia Hola, Cynthia Pulou, Isabela Mel Natera, Shalom Waida, Margaret Meferoi Joseph, Lucy Philemona Maino, Anasthasia Gunemba, Gloria Laeli
Midfield: Ramona Quintina Padio, Rumona Maiya Morris, Rayleen Miriam Bauelua, Michaelyne Butubu, Yvonne Molong Gabong, Phylis Pala, Kesai Kotome, Daisy Winas, Georgina Kaikas
Forwards: Calista Maneo, Nenny Elipas, Keren Kalapai, Asaiso Gossie, Charlie Yanding, Marie Rex Aua Kaipu
