PNG advances to OFC Women Nations Cup final

PNG will play Fiji in the OFC Women Nations Cup finals after their impressive victories over their opponents in the semifinals held at HCF Bank Stadium in Suva, Fiji tonight.

The Nicola Demaine-coach team booked the first berth with good 3-0 win over Samoa in what was the replay of 2019 Pacific Games gold medal play while Fiji downed Solomon Island 3-1 in the second semis to confirm the date with PNG.

PNG advances to OFC Women Nations Cup final after win of Samoa 3-0 [Photo by PNGFA]

PNG scored through Charlie Yanding in the first half while captain Meagan Gunemba put on the Player of the Match performance picked up the brace in the second half to seal the match 3-0

Gunemba thanked the supporters throughout the country stand behind them in this time of national election related violence to barrack for the team to victory.

Meagan from the famous Gunemba family in Lae, Morobe said, her team was united in their mind to achieve their aim to play in the grand final.

“The tournament is different. It is not a Pacific Games. It is a World Cup qualifier for one sport for Oceania which is great opportunity for us island countries and we gave our best to book the sport in the final. I am hoping for the best results to make the World Cup stage,” she said.

The 2014 OFC Under 20 Golden Boot winner said all the teams have come prepare for the tournament like Tonga and Samoa who were easy beats as in previous tournament. They are much different team from the past with players coming from America, Australia, Canada and New Zealand which making the competition much tougher, so PNG girls gave their best to earn the victory.

With the absence of New Zealand at the Oceania region, the 2022 OFC Women Nations Cup has now provided and opportunity for any island countries to give a shot at the World Cup campaign.

Meagan said the spot is wide open, but she wants to see PNG get the opportunity to represent Oceania at the World Cup stage with one step closer with a good semifinals victory 3-0.

She dedicated the win to her soccer family dad Peter, brothers Raymond and Troy for always supporting her and giving her great advice to play as a team and be a good role model for football, your country and your family.

She acknowledged the support from fans who had to buy date to catch the action on their mobile phone, and this victory is for you. 

Meagan thanked PNG Government through NGCB and also KPHL plus other support sponsors to see them taking part in the World Cup qualifier in Fiji. She acknowledged NGCB chief executive officer Imelda Agon and her team for their presence which added the sparks to the team’s performance.

Source : PNGFA media

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