In its inaugural year the tournament will see four nations compete, hosts Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Maldives and Laos, for the top honours.
PNG coach Bob Morris was optimistic ahead of the encounter given they had very little knowledge of their opposition.
“Like Laos and hosts Indonesia, all we can do is go out there in the first match and compete to our strengths,” Morris said.
“From there we can gauge what we have to do by watching the other two countries in their match and take it from there.”
It wasn’t an easy match for either side with neither team knowing much about their opponent.
The Maldives settled into the match much quicker than Morris’ side and pressed hard on the Papua New Guinea defence from the outset.
Maldives had a chance to take the lead in the 32 minute when their striker was deemed fouled in the box, leading to a penalty. But Papua New Guinea goalkeeper
Benjamin Wilbert kept his side in the game as he dove to the left and just tipping it away from goal.
The relief was short-lived as Maldives launched an attack six minutes later with a shot coming in at the near-post and rolling under a diving Wilbert to open the scoring.
Morris made a couple of changes at the break which proved the difference as his side held the Maldives’ attack at bay for the remainder of the match.
Following the final whistle Morris said the loss was incredibly disappointing though the side’s second half performance was promising.
“Some of the changes that we did was because the players were pretty exhausted,” Morris said.
“Having said that, we will focus on physical improvements for the game against Indonesia tomorrow. This match was a lesson for us.”
The tournament regulations allow for two senior players to be included and Morris said having Hekari United’s Koriak Upaiga at left back and Gigira Laitepo playmaker Eluida Fugre in the mix brought some much needed experience to the young side.
Maldives’ coach Shazly Mohamed said the victory was an important one ahead of their remaining fixtures against Indonesia and Laos.
“It was a tough game. The players were experiencing problems with the weather, not to mention we had to study for 15 minutes before the beginning of the game to recognise our opponent and make strategic changes,” Shazly said.
He said he was disappointed with some of the opportunities his side failed to take, and especially in the execution of the failed penalty.
“I hope the players can perform better against Laos and Indonesia.”
To see highlights of Papua New Guinea vs. Maldives click here.
Papua New Guinea U-23:
Goalkeepers:
Charles LEPANI (PMSA)
Vagi KONIEL (Wau)
Benjamin WILBERT (Besta Utd FC-Lae)
Defenders:
Koriak UPAIGA (Hekari Utd FC-POM)
Daniel JOE (Hekari Utd FC-POM)
Kila POLENA (Hekari Utd FC-POM)
Peter YANG (Besta Utd FC-Lae)
Roland BALA (FC POM)
Philip STEVEN (Besta Utd FC-Lae)
John RAY (PMSA)
Jason FAROCK (Besta Utd FC-Lae)
Midfielders/flankers:
Eluid FUGRE (Gigira Laitepo FC-Lae)
Max SENGUM (FC POM)
Vanya MALAGIAN (FC POM)
Darren STEVEN (Besta Utd FC-Lae)
Jacob SABUA (Besta Utd FC-Lae)
Roland CONN (Hekari Utd FC-POM)
Strikers:
Tommy SAMMY (Besta Utd FC-Lae)
Nigel DABINYABA (Hekari Utd FC)
Patrick AISA (PMSA)
Raynard YOHAN (Hekari Utd FC-POM)
Coach: Bob MORRIS
Assistant Coach: Trevor IRE and Reginald DAVANI
Coach-mentor: Giovani FERNANDES
Match schedule:
Papua New Guinea v Indonesia
22 November
Kick-off: 7pm (local)\
Laos v Papua New Guinea
24 November
Kick-off: 3.30pm (local)
All matches are played at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia.
For more on Papua New Guinea football go to www.pngfootball.com.pg

Share