Coach Michael Robinson’s team will meet the unknown quantity of Iran at Jalan Besar Stadium on Sunday evening local time and can’t wait to begin their campaign.
The team got familiar with the floodlit astroturf pitch on a humid night during their official training session and the players enjoyed their first run together at the match venue.
Robinson is satisfied his young charges can carry on the form shown in their recent warm-up tour of Malaysia.
“We won two matches and lost one but with all due respect would have preferred stronger opponents. It was a worthwhile exercise and we’re very excited to be here,” he says.
Papua New Guinea have four players that starred in the OFC U-17 Women’s Championship – Dinna Awele, Grace Steven, Georgina Kaikas and Carolyn Obi.
But Robinson suggests Ramona Morris could be another player set to shine on the world stage.
“When I first saw Ramona play, my eyes lit up. She deserves an opportunity to showcase her talent.”
The tournament regulations differ from normal FIFA events with matches 80-minutes long.
In the knock-out rounds there will be no extra time – matches go straight to penalties.
Iran and Turkey join Papua New Guinea in Group A, while Trinidad & Tobago, Equatorial Guinea and Chile comprise Group B.
The top two teams in each group advance to the semi-finals.
Teams ranked third in their group will meet to decide fifth place overall.
Sunday 15 August 2010
Iran vs Papua New Guinea – Jalan Besar Stadium, kick off 6pm (local time)
Wednesday 18 August 2010
Papua New Guinea vs Turkey – Jalan Besar Stadium, kick-off 8.45pm (local time)