Phillips: ‘I am proud of the players’ commitment’

Papua New Guinea remain one of the most serious contenders to upset the grasp New Zealand has had on regional women’s football since Australia left the Oceania Football Confederation in 2006.
The team finished runners-up the last two editions in 2007 and 2010, but the target this time is qualification for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
‘’As competitors our main objective is to qualify for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup but we are realistic on the difficulty of the task,’’ head coach Gary Phillips says.
Phillips knows the road to Canada 2015 will be difficult against quality opponents and favourites New Zealand.
‘’We respect every opponent, both Tonga and Cook Islands have qualities and New Zealand are the favourites with the majority of their squad playing in Europe, America and Australia all year round,’’ Phillips says.
The former Sydney Olympic and Brisbane Strikers midfielder remains positive about the attitude of the players and he is proud to see their devotion and motivation ahead of the tournament despite some of the challenges the team faces.
‘’I am proud of the players’ commitment and their appreciation to the games evolving challenges and the progress made.
‘’The national team has not played or been together for three years so we are trying to squeeze three years into three weeks,’’ Phillips says.
He says the key element for the team to perform well during the tournament will be the collective.
‘’It is very important that we are collectively strong but of course you need special players to provide something a bit different to break the opposition.’’
To boost that collective, the former Newcastle Jets women’s coach has included nine players from the U-20 women’s squad who finished runners-up at the OFC U-20 Women’s Championship in February, including Golden Ball winner Meagen Gunemba.
‘’We have nine players from the U-20 team progressing to the senior team and performing well,’’ he says.
Papua New Guinea host the OFC Women’s Nations Cup for the third time this year after 1995 and 2007 which will provide to the team another motivation in front of their home crowd.
‘’I think the team will be relaxed going into the tournament playing in front of family and friends,’’ he says.
The Australian coach also highlights the fact the players are familiar with the environment which could have a certain advantage.
‘’The players are familiar with the food, climate and culture. It should provide an edge and a good advantage over foreign opposition.’’
Papua New Guinea finished third at the OFC Women’s Nations Cup between 1991 and 2003.
They open their qualification’s campaign against Cook Islands on Saturday 25 October.