Papua New Guinea Kapuls has named its 25-man squad ahead of hosting the Fifa World Cup 2026 Oceania Qualifiers in Port Moresby next week Thursday, November 14th, at PNG Football Stadium in Port Moresby.
Head coach Felipe Vega-Arango said the team had been training hard with a few changes made to the squad list.
“We’ve made a few changes to the list with a few players ruled out for injuries while some have returned home to attend to their family situations,” Arango said.
Following their 3-1 loss to New Caledonia in Fiji last month, Arango said they were primed to perform well on home soil against their Melanesian brothers, Fiji and the Solomon Islands.
“We need to win the first home game to secure our chances or we will be eliminated. Our focus is set on the match against Fiji because we need to win it,” said Arango.
“The focus is to play hard, to run, to fight for every ball, every challenge, to win every
match-up and to win because these teams also have the dynamics.”
In addition, the Kapuls coach confirmed that veteran goalkeeper Ronald Warisan and fellow footballer Yagi Yasasa have been ruled out for injuries following their stint in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) finals.
The Kapuls will also miss the services of their most capped footballer Emmanuel Simon, who departed for Lae earlier this week for personal reasons.
“We hope our injured players recover as we still have the Melanesian Cup afterwards. However, our main focus remains on these qualifiers,” coach Arango added.
The Kapuls are expected to meet Fiji on Nov 14 (Thursday) and the Solomon Islands on Nov 17 (Sunday) at the PNG Football Stadium in Port Moresby.
PNG Kapuls 25-Man Squad: Goalkeepers - Dave Tomare (Hekari United FC (HUFC), Christianus Biasu (HUFC), Charlie Lepani (Port Moresby Strikers FC (Pom Strikers).
Defenders: Alwin Komolong (Brisbane Lions FC), Joshua Talau (Pom Strikers), Kolu Kepo (HUFC), Langarap Samol (Lae City FC), Derek Kimai (United Highlands FC (UHFC), Gabriel Yanum (Lae City), Daniel Joe (HUFC), Arol Tataeng (HUFC).
Midfielders: Shane Sakael (Admiralty Islands FC), Ritzoki Tamgol (HUFC), Chappy Upaiga (UHFC), Solomon Rani (HUFC), Judah Asar (UHFC), Joseph Joe (HUFC), Ethan Mom (Perth NPL), Obert Simon (Pom Strikers), Nathaniel Eddie (HUFC), Ati Kepo (HUFC), Rex Naime (HUFC).
Strikers: Tommy Semmy (Werribee City FC), Logan Biwa (UHFC), Raymond Gunemba (Lae City Dwellers FC.
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