Photo Credit: OFC Media via Kirk Corrie
Hosts Papua New Guinea will be hoping home advantage will help them rebound from defeat last month in Fiji when qualifying resumes in Oceania for the FIFA World Cup 26™.
Felipe Vega-Arango’s side suffered a 3-1 defeat in their opening match at HFC Bank Stadium to New Caledonia and will face the considerable challenge of Fiji in their first match in Port Moresby.
Avoiding defeat against the Fijians will be imperative to keeping their hopes alive, before they finish the group stage campaign against Solomon Islands three days later, in what will be a significant challenge for the relatively new Head Coach.
Captain Alwin Komolong is looking forward to a much anticipated return to home soil and knows his side must up their game to have a chance of advancing to the semi-finals.
“Preparations have been going as good as they can considering most players have had committments to their clubs in the league. Through this time, the boys have still been able to train together in the weeks since we left Fiji.
“We haven’t played at home in about seven years, so the messages have all been about working hard to give our home fans something to cheer and a performance to be proud of. Not just that but for ourselves having games at home presents a massive opportunity to get back into this World Cup qualifying campaign,” the captain said.
Having a passionate home crowd backing them at the PNG Football Stadium is a boost that isn’t lost on Komolong and his teammates.
“Playing at home is something special. Our home supporters are passionate about the game and passionate about our team so they will be there in numbers to help push us for a win.”
Having suffered the disappointment of defeat in their opening group stage match last month, Komolong is keen to stress the importance of learning lessons from that defeat in Suva.
“Simply put, we cannot be complacent and make silly mistakes. We know what we are capable of and what it takes to beat Fiji so we are ready to compete and fight for the win with the backing of our home supporters.”
FIFA World Cup 26™ Oceania Qualifiers
Group A
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (kick-off times local)
Thursday, November 14
Solomon Islands v New Caledonia, 1:00pm
Papua New Guinea v Fiji, 4:00pm
Sunday, November 17
Fiji v New Caledonia, 1:00pm
Papua New Guinea v Solomon Islands, 4:00pm