Playing football at an early age of nine, is part of PNG Women’s U20 Midfielder, Yvonne Gabong’s history.
Gabong went on to make her debut on the international stage at the age of 13, when she was first selected to be part of an Under 17 side that went to New Zealand.
Upon returning from New Zeland, little did Gabong know that her international football appearance did not go unnoticed by the Senior Women’s National Team.
By 2011, she was asked to join the PNG Senior Women’s National Team, where she began as a flanker.
A shy but fairly skilled footballer, Gabong and her team went on to win gold in the 2015 Pacific Games.
Going up against New Caledonia, Le Cagous was challenging, and beating them was an unforgettable experience for the young footballer who was newly introduced to being a mid-fielder.
By January this year, the 19 year old, was part of the Senior team that took part in the World Cup Qualifier against New Zealand where PNG lost 7 – 1 in Lae, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea.
Gabong later played with the PNG U20 side against USA and Japan in the Tri Nations World Cup friendlies which coincided with the OFC Nations Cup.
Training continues for this young woman, as she prepares for the U20 World Women’s Cup, which is just two months away.
