PNG sets its eyes for a spot in the Oceania Championships

Papua New Guinea’s quest for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in 2025 will commence this weekend as they aim to secure the only spot left in the Oceania Men’s U16 Championships.

The PNG U16 team will compete against Solomon Islands, American Samoa and Tonga in the qualifying tournament from April 13 - 19 for a place in the championships.

The four countries will play each other in round robin format over three match days with the eventual winner advancing to join New Zealand, Fiji, New Caledonia, Tahiti, Cook Islands, Vanuatu and Samoa in the championships.

New Zealand, Vanuatu, Fiji and Cook Islands are drawn in group A whilst New Caledonia, Samoa, Tahiti and the Qualifying Winner will battle in group B.

The championships scheduled in Tahiti will be held from August 28 – September 10 in Tahiti as the winner and runner up take the flight to represent Oceania region at the FIFA U17 World Cup next year in Qatar.

The U16 PNG outfit led by head coach Marty Terry, assistant Mathias Apo, team manager Dennis Kossie Java, goalkeeper coach David Kaura left for Tonga this morning ahead of the weekend tournament at the Loto-Tonga Soka Centre, Nuku’alofa.

Squad: Alexander Posiri, Harry Araga (goalkeepers), Railako Valu, Joshua Malaburgh, Seth Tade, Waterhouse Waiwai, Leightan Enoch, Alban Rani, Tyler Niebo, Hyman Wemin, Israel Ure, Wane Maninare, Taunama Sergeant, Ethan Geita, Nathaniel Ovia, Henry Bae Jnr, Timothy Pepson, Edmund Bwaina, Philemon Deilala.