PNG wins sixth consecutive Pacific Games women’s football gold
Papua New Guinea’s domination in women’s football in the Pacific region continues after a sixth consecutive gold medal at the Pacific Games in Honiara.
The PNG team beat Fiji at the National Stadium in Honiara on Friday night after securing an early lead with a goal from Phylis Pala.
Fiji struggled to find the back of the net until a second-half effort that was disallowed for offside.
PNG then took the opportunity to extend their lead, with Marie Kaipu scoring two goals. Her first came from capitalising on a defensive error, while her second was the result of a skilful volley.
Fiji responded with a goal from Trina Davis but Kaipu regained the momentum for PNG with a goal to give her a stunning hat-trick. She followed with a fourth goal, which came from capitalising on a rebound from Fiji’s goalkeeper.
PNG’s sixth consecutive gold was secured with a dominant 4-1 score line.
Coach Eric Komeng attributed their victory to cohesive teamwork and seizing on scoring opportunities.
He said he had encouraged his players to create their own legacy during the tournament and commended the team’s trust in themselves, especially evident in the second half with notable performances.
“We came here with a very young team,” he told the Pacific Games News Service.
“We just let the girls know that there are some girls that won the fifth one, the fourth, the third, the first, and the second. You have to make your own history.
“That’s what the girls keep today during the tournament.
“They just have to trust themselves, and I think that’s what they did.”
Stressing the importance of discipline, Komeng highlighted the team’s success in converting chances into goals.
“I told the girls if we have any chances, we just have to put our chances away, and that’s what they did in the second half. We had our chances; we put them away. I think the girls deserve this gold medal,” he said.
New Caledonia took the bronze medal, beating Samoa 3-1 on Friday.
The match saw a goalless first quarter before Samoa took the lead. However, New Caledonia swiftly responded with an equalizer and added two more goals to secure an ultimately comfortable victory.