Blog / Asia Women's Football Scene / Singapore / News

Papua New Guinea came to play and walked away with a score of 9 - 0 against Seychelles in the FAS Tri-Nations Series 2022 (Women’s). While Seychelles put up a great fight and caught Papua New Guinea offside on numerous occasions, it still proved a challenge to keep up with Papua New Guinea’s dominating performance.

“I mean obviously we got a good result, but it's our first hit out since 2019, so we were looking to embed some tactics and some things and I felt that it got better as we went in the second half. Still there are things to improve but I can't really complain.” Nicola Demaine, Head Coach of Papua New Guinea commented on the team’s performance.

Papua New Guinea spent the first 24 minutes testing Seychelles’ defence and keeper. The inevitable opening goal came in the 25th minute when Papua New Guinea Forward, Marie Kaipu, crossed a dangerous ball into the box only to have Seychelles’ very own defender score an own goal.

Less than 5 minutes later, Papua New Guinea got a 2 goal lead when Forward Asaiso Gossie, crossed the ball into the box, serving it on a platter for Marie Kaipu to tap it into goal.

In the 44th minute, Papua New Guinea’s third goal of the match came from a beautiful one-two between Forward, Meagen Gunemba and Team Captain, Yvonne Gabong, which allowed Gabong to calmly slot it past the keeper.

Papua New Guinea turned up the heat in the second half, with Marie Kaipu getting past the defenders and scoring her second goal of the match with a left footed strike in the 53rd minute.

Following the momentum, in the 56th minute, Meagen Gunemba wiggled free from the Seychelles’ defenders and shot a grounder that trickled past the keeper’s fingers. With that, Papua New Guinea was 5 goals up.

Then in the 70th minute, a lethal through ball from Papua New Guinea Midfielder, Rumona Morries, to Forward, Sagude Zale, allowed the 17-year-old to score her first international goal as she blasted it into the back of the net.

Not 2 minutes later, Papua New Guinea Midfielder, Ramona Quintina Padio, striked the ball at the keeper who could only palm it into the back of the net, earning Papua New Guinea its 7th goal of the night.

Unfortunately for Seychelles, Papua New Guinea drew a penalty in 81st minute, that Padio calmly took and slotted into the back of the net.

The night ended on a high for Papua New Guinea Midfielder, Sonia Emhabe, who also scored her first international goal in the 86th minute.

Overall it was a great match for Papua New Guinea and a huge learning experience for Seychelles.

“We (Seychelles) are just starting our journey, we are at infancy stage. It's good that the team is taking in the loss. It's also an experience to lose the game. It’s a big score line, but we don't expect anything less from a team that is ranked 49.” Chua Kai Yi Angeline, Head Coach of Seychelles commented on how the team is taking the loss.

With that, Seychelles wraps up for the FAS Tri-Nations Series 2022 (Women’s) and will continue their plans to develop the women’s game in Seychelles further. Meanwhile, Papua New Guinea prepares to face Singapore on Monday night (11 April).