The village team consisting of players from Keapara, Alukuni and Karawa villages in the Hood Lagoon area of Rigo, Central Province was a surprise package in the tournament.
The village based team went through their pool matches runner-up to Lae Football Association proving all odds amongst regional heavy-weights from New Guinea Islands, Highlands and Momase.
Koupa’s good run ended in the semi-final when eventual winners Manus, filtered with a host of National Soccer League (NSL) players knocked them out 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out.
Manus eventually won the Cup defeating Madang in another tough and entertaining showpiece, while the boys from Rigo, finished third after their shock win over the highly rated Lae Football Association (LFA).
The Koupa players were highly commended by Rigo MP Ano Pala, describing all 25 players as raw talented material.
Their efforts have indicated that they are more skilled players in the villages from Rigo rather than the town competition and there is a need for development programs carried out by Papua New Guinea Football Association into remote villages, said Pala.
Pala told the team members following their arrival in Port Moresby from Lae on Sunday that he will be giving 100 percent support towards their future development and hinted his backing to establish a competitive competition in district in the near future.
With the team’s impressive performance, two players from the team were scouted by NSL team Hekari United FC and through this successful outing, it will be a great learning curve for the team.
It will only make them a better players as they look towards higher goals.