Herbert’s PNG win first medal since 1987

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PAPUA NEW GUINEA sealed their first men’s football medal since Nouméa 1987 by claiming a 2-1 victory over Fiji, who had booked a place at next year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro by beating Vanuatu last Sunday (July 13), in the bronze medal match to the delight of the home crowd.

After Patrick Aisa‘s fortuitous effort had been cancelled out by a wonder strike from Fiji’s Tony Tuivuna, Papua New Guinea’s captain Alwin Komolong towered above the defenders at the back post following a pinpoint set-piece delivery in added time and powered home a header to secure bronze for his country in dramatic fashion.

“This is huge for men’s football,” Papua New Guinea coach Ricki Herbert, who had coached New Zealand at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, said.

“It’s not just one game, it’s the start of a new era.”

Published by Inside the Games, July 17, 2015