The National Soccer team, PNG Kapuls, have arrived in the country on Wednesday, October 18, after their participation in the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Prime Minister’s Cup from October 8-15 in Noumea, New Caledonia.
As the reigning Champions of the MSG PM’s Cup, they failed to live up to their championship caliber, faring poorly in the tournament. They did not perform to expectations because of a short
turnaround in their preparations.
The Kapuls did not register any win in the one-week tourney. They went down to the eventual champions, Solomon Islands 3-1 in the opener, hosts New Caledonia defeated them 3-1, and Vanuatu pulled off a 1-0 victory to send them home packing.
Despite the poor result, the Papua New Guinea Sports Foundation (PNGSF) and Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) have co-hosted a small reception at Sir John Guise Indoor Complex Foyer to welcome the players, coaching staff and team management back to the country.
PNGSF Chief Executive Officer, Albert Veratau and PNGFA President, John Kapi Natto have commended and thanked the players for representing PNG on foreign soil. They encouraged the players to be proud of themselves and challenged them to improve and come back strong next year to stake their claim for the title.
Meanwhile, the 2023 Pacific Games kicks off in three weeks’ time. The current Kapuls squad will go straight into camp in preparation for the tournament. The players will be scrambling in the next few weeks, trying to build combination and team chemistry for the upcoming tourney.
No spot is guaranteed. The players must train hard and push themselves to earn their spots. Some of the players will be dropped to make room for in-form players.
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