World Footy News

After last week announcing the AFL PNG Flames Womens squad for the AFL International Cup 2014 - now it's the turn of the men with the AFL PNG Mosquitoes squad taking shame - now in their final month of training prior to the announcement of the 28 man travelling squad. The training group has been trimmed to 36 - and amongst those are many familiar names to the followers of PNG footy and readers of Worldfootynews.

The following press release is courtesy of AFL PNG :

Papua New Guinea’s elite Mosquitoes team is shaping up for the 2014 International Cup with the initial Emerging side trimmed down to 36, as training continues for AFL PNG’s crème of the crop.

The Emerging Mosquitoes brings together the best footy players PNG has to offer currently playing in the country as well as in Australia, most of whom have come through AFL PNG’s Talent Pathway and are now playing with feeder clubs around Australia.

With training starting as early as mid 2013, PNG is no doubt a top contender in the tussle to win the International Cup title, having earned a spot in the past four grand finals since 2002, and making the country proud when they won the 2008 cup.

“This is the fifth International Cup. We have made the Final in each of the previous four Cups. PNG lost to Ireland in the inaugural Cup Final in 2002, lost to New Zealand in 2005, won when we defeated New Zealand in 2008 and lost again in the Final to Ireland in 2011. Prior to this, PNG won the Arafura Games Gold Medal undefeated four times in a row.
“Every three years, more countries have joined in the challenge to try to win the AFL International Cup but PNG has consistently won through to the final winning once but consistent performing as Runners Up three times. At IC14, 23 countries are expected to compete in the men’s division and seven in the women’s division.
“In 2014 we hope to defeat all challengers getting over the top of traditional rivals Ireland and New Zealand, with their taller athletes and significant resources and ensuring no-one catches us off guard like perennial IC challengers Nauru, Samoa or Japan,” said AFL PNG Board Chairman, Scott Reid.

The squad, which was trimmed down to 36 last week, includes;

	NAME	Location
1	Peter Labi	North Cairns
2	Ryan Agita	Broadbeach
3	Emmaus Wartovo	Lamana Dockers (Pom)
4	Gideon Simon	Richmond
5	John James	Aspley
6	Jason So'ong	Coolamon
7	Jeconiah Peni	Campbelltown
8	Greg Aki	Coolamon
9	John Ikupu	West Cobur
10	Stanis Agita	Broadbeach
11	Theo Gavuri	Campbelltown
12	Willie Aisi	North Cairns
13	Michael Macca	Carnington/Linton
14	Scott Johnson	Carnington/Linton
15	Alphonse Jambarufo	Campbelltown
16	Stanis Susuve	Coolangatta
17	Amua Pirika	Koboni
18	Emmanuel Tupia	Lamana Dockers
19	Donald Barry	Coolangatta
20	Paul Phillip	Koboni
21	Jeffrey Namete	Taurama Suns
22	Brendan Beno	Koboni
23	Wingti Pena	Uni Tigers
24	David Topeni	Uni Tigers
25	Laurie Logo	Uni Tigers
26	Clyde Pulah	Uni Tigers
27	Greg Ekari	Bomana Cats
28	Kataha Siwee	Bomana Cats
29	Brendan Gotuno	Uni Tigers
30	Ezra Gotuno	Gerehu Magpies
31	Sunny Yogomin	Gordons Kokofas
32	Max Lavai	Koboni
33	Raymond Vogae	Lamana Dockers
34	Archie Mai	Gordons Kokofas
35	Luke Savere Jnr	Bomana Cats
36	Ferdinand Musi	Taurama Suns

The final team of 28 will be made known by the end of this month.

Mosquitoes’ trainer and 2008 Captain of the triumphant Mozzies, Rex Leka, said the boys have gone through a lot of fitness training and are looking good to take on the IC14.

“We already have ten top athletes currently playing in Australia, who are in the team. Combined with another top 15 boys from home soil, we are in no doubt a powerhouse this year. Boys who will give us the much needed figures to make a difference include the experience of Donald Barry, Emmaus Wartovo, Amua Pirika, Peter Labi, Willie Aisi and John James with a few young guns who will add more sting to the Mosquitoes bite this year.

Leka said; “The final selection for the 2014 PNG Mosquitoes boils down to one thing – and that is, who is serious about wearing the PNG jersey and being a good ambassador, come August.

The 2014 International Cup will be held in Melbourne, Australia, from August ninth to the 23rd. Travelling alongside the Mosquitoes is PNG’s women’s team - the Flames - who will attempt the International Cup for the second time.

With sponsorship not yet confirmed for either team, AFL PNG is extending an invitation to business houses in the corporate sector for a positive partnership in its’ bid to win the 2014 International Cup.

Each team needs at least K200, 000.00 to get to Melbourne and return, with each player and official levied a hefty K3, 000.00 each to cater for their basic needs such as transport, food and accommodation.

For further enquiries on sponsorship, the AFL PNG office can be contacted on 3254943.