Ramona Padio laced a brace to help Papua New Guinea Women’s team, gold book the first ever grand final spot in the inaugural women’s division of the Melanesian Spearhead Group Prime Ministers Cup competition in Port Moresby today.
The PNG side registered a dominant 5-0 victory over the Solomon Islands who were the first team to arrive in Port Moresby and the first to exit.
PNG will now face Fiji who beat Vanuatu 3-1 to close off the women’s match day for today.
Papua New Guinea coach Erickson Komeng said it is a deserving win against Solomon Islands who are one of the tough opponents in the competition.
“They (Solomon Island is a quality side. We came here to beat them and with the quality football the girls played, we came up with the five goals,” Komeng said.
Padio scored a brace while Serah Waida, Nenny Elipas and Keren Kalapai netted a goal each in front of the fans at PNG football stadium as they prepare for the big dance this Sunday.
Fiji head coach is also expecting a familiar contest against the host PNG side in the grand finale.
Fiji head coach Angeline Chua said they worked hard for the win and they deserve it.
“It was a really good performance from the girls. They deserve it (the win),” Chua said.
She said they will now go back and recover and look forward to make an exciting finish to the tournament.
“We expect a very familiar team (PNG). All of us (Fiji) know each and every one there and it is the first edition of the women’s MSG cup and we want to make it exciting as possible for everybody,” Chu added.
Fiji’s Norieta Leba strikes a double to give Elesi Tabuanase an extra foot to boot her own to send the Fijian side over Vanuatu who registered their only goal through Leimata Simon in the 72-minute.
