By MIRIAM MALAWA
THE President of the PNG Football Association, John Kapi Natto (pictured) has expressed his gratitude towards FIFA for providing an opportunity to the national team to compete against higher-ranked nations.
“For PNG Football, we are very grateful for FIFA for allowing our boys to compete with nations that are ranked higher than us,” Natto said.
He noted the significance of this experience for their team, stating that 90% of the players from international teams are competing in prominent leagues worldwide.
“It is giving us an experience of knowing where we stand in terms of our performance with the other teams and what we could improve on,” he added.
Natto’s sentiments were echoed by the team’s coach, Warren Moon emphasising the value of the experience gained despite the challenges faced.
“All of our players are amateurs, most of them have not played in international matches at a higher level,” he remarked.
Despite their efforts, including the presence of two players competing in Australia, the team faced defeat against the Central African Republic during the recent matches.
“This now gives us an opportunity of sitting down with Warren, the head coach, technical staff, and analyse the matches going forward,” Natto explained.
He pointed out the importance of planning for the future, considering the transition period within the national team, with aging players making way for younger talent.
Moreover, Natto outlined the upcoming challenge of the Nations Cup scheduled for June in Vanuatu.
“This is where the eight nations will compete, and then they will be ranked for the World Cup qualifier for 2026,” he outlined.
The stakes are high, with the winner of the qualifier securing a direct spot in the World Cup, while the runners-up face the intercontinental playoff.
Despite the tough road ahead, Natto expressed confidence in the team’s ability to rise to the occasion.
“With the experience and technical expertise, I think we can try to get over during the qualifier,” he said.
He emphasised the importance of using the recent FIFA Series experience to prepare the team adequately for the challenges ahead.
Natto has thanked the team for their efforts.
