Lone Eastern Highlands Girl Secures a Spot in PNG Women’s Football Squad

Eastern Highlands rising female football star, Asaiso Gossie, has made the final cut in the PNG Women’s Football Team ahead of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Women’s World Cup Qualifiers in Fiji. 

The national women’s team features a 23-member squad mainly dominated by Port Moresby and Lae-based players, with Gossie being the only player from Eastern Highlands Province. 

Cracking the national side was no easy feat, especially in an environment where having access to good training facilities leaves a lot to be desired, but that doesn’t stop the determined Eastern Highlander from chasing her dream.

In a rugby league-dominated region, Gossie said she is grateful for the selection in the national team, expressing pride in representing not only PNG but her province and inspiring other girls to play soccer.  

“It is a privilege for me to be part of this team because among thousands of talented girls around PNG, I was selected to represent the country,” she stated.

“And also being a lone player from a province that does not promote other sports but treats rugby league as its national sport means a lot to me.  

“I am very proud to represent my home province, Eastern Highlands, and to represent the country by motivating young Highlands girls to play soccer.”

Hailing from Henganofi District just outside Goroka town, the 22-year-old began playing football when she was 10 years old. It was a passion that turned into a career, crediting her coach, whose guidance and mentorship helped shape her career. 

“Nobody inspired me to play. I was playing for fun and was motivated by my coach Bernardine Worr about representing the country, and that's how I was selected,” she said.

Besides football, she is currently studying Science and Mathematics at the University of Goroka (UoG) in the Eastern Highlands Province. 

The versatile forward-midfielder mentioned that trying to juggle her football career and studies has been challenging and demanding, but she managed to keep her head above water. 

“I think in my soccer career, the most important challenge I faced every day was how to balance my training schedule with my school assessments,” she said.

Gossie added that those who wish to represent PNG one day, especially young aspiring female football players, must be confident and have trust in themselves.  

“There are lots of opportunities for young girls in women’s football, so they have to believe in themselves and their abilities,” she said.

“Football is a game for everyone, regardless of gender and the provinces they come from, whether from the Highlands or the Coasts.”

Like every athlete, their ultimate dream is to play in the World Cup. Gossie dreams of running on the global stage in the near future, stating: “My future goal is to play in the women's World Cup.”

She burst onto the international scene in 2019, officially making her debut for Papua New Guinea. Since then, she has been a regular for the women’s national football team. 

Asaiso Gossie plays for her local club, Blue Kumuls, and participated in the Goroka Soccer Association (GSA). The Blue Kumuls won the women’s Minor Premiership in 2025.