PORT MORESBY, July 5 – Federated States of Micronesia manager Stan Foster (AUS) tried to stay positive after watching his side beaten 38-0 by Fiji at Bisini Grounds on Sunday – a Pacific Games record defeat.
“We expected this sort of game. We’re here for development purposes mainly and I’m just trying to keep the guys upbeat. I just wanted the guys to keep fighting all the way through the game so they knew that when they came off they tried their hardest,” said Foster. Micronesia, who lost their opening Pool A match to Tahiti 30-0 on Friday, were 21-0 down at half-time in the match. Foster substituted the side’s goalkeeper Walter Pengelbew for midfielder Dominic Gadad after the break, but a further 17 goals were still conceded. Still, Foster felt his players “never gave up”. “If they give up, then they don’t feel as if they’ve played. I want to instil in them fighting spirit all the way through a game. It doesn’t matter what the score is, I told them that before we even started. I told them to take any little bits of information off the field that they can and take them back to their islands.” Gadad, 20, admitted the match had been “difficult”, saying: “Their players have experience and skills, but we will keep training and training. We will come back to the next Pacific Games and win.” Fiji forwards Tony Tuivuna and Chris Wasasala scored 10 goals each, while Iosefo Verevou and Napalioni Qasevakatini both notched six. However, Fiji manager Juan Carlos (URU) believed his players should have scored more. “Our plan was simple – to play one-touch football. But sometimes the players had a sweet taste on the ball and they wanted to do extra things. But at least we’re eight goals ahead of Tahiti. I feel sorry for their players – they are young and inexperienced,” said the coach. Micronesia will attempt to restore some pride when they face Vanuatu in their final match in Pool A on Tuesday, while Fiji take on Tahiti next. Source: Pacific Games Media
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Papua New Guinea has held off Fiji in a close encounter in the men's Basketball with a score of 75 - 73 tonight at the BSP Arena in Port Moresby.
The Fijians were leading in each of the quarters but PNG fought back hard in the final quarter to steal the game from the Fijians. PNG displayed an exciting come from behind in the final 3 seconds to snatch the win. This is the first time PNG has beaten Fiji in basketball in Pacific Games. Papua New Guinea Men's Table Tennis team lost its Round 5 match to Vanuatu today.
The PNG boys put in a tough challenge, however, Vanuatu proved too strong, winning by 6 points to 3. In the Women's Round 4 match, Vanuatu also defeated PNG, 7 points to 2. In other Men's Round 5 Matches, Tahiti defeated Fiji 9- Love, and Tuvalu defeated Palau, 5 points to 4. In the Women's Division, there was a tough battle between the defending Champions, New Caledonia and Tahiti, however, New Caledonia came out the winner, defeating Tahiti 5 points to 4 . Fiji also defeated Tuvalu 9- Love. In the Women's basketball game this afternoon saw Tahiti beat PNG 90 - 57 at the Taurama Aquatic Centre in Port Moresby.
In other matches American Samoa thrashed Team Solomon 80-44 and Guam smashed the little Nauru 116-25 in a one sided affair. In the men's division Team Solomon overcame Kiribati beating them 94-57. American Samoa after going down to host PNG regrouped to beat Nauru 94-55 in the second game in their pool. PNG is currently playing Fiji in what is expected to be an entertaining match for the night. Currently Fiji is leading the pool with two straight wins followed by PNG, New Caledonia, American Samoa while in the other pool Team Tahiti looks favorite winning two of its match followed by Guam and Solomon Island. In men's soccer. New Zealand beat PNG 1 - 0 PORT MORESBY, July 5 – Charlotte Robin bagged the first gold medal of the 2015 Pacific Games when she won the women’s triathlon on Sunday, and New Caledonia took all three triathlon events on Sunday in Port Moresby.
Robin crossed the finish line in 1h 6m 30s and 19 seconds ahead of 17-year-old Tahitian, Salome de Barthez de Marmorieres, with Robin’s countrywoman, Celine Grymonprez-Hirzel, third in 1:08.39. Robin’s tactics were to jump out ahead of her rivals early, especially as the challenging course involved having to power up the Kumul freeway in the last leg, the run. “I am better at swimming,” Robin said after her victory. “I made sure I gained the lead in swimming so that I could get ahead.” In the men’s event, 22-year-old Audric Lucini made it a New Caledonian triathlon double when he cleared out from the field to win gold by over three minutes from Tahitian Benjamin Zorgnotti. Lucini, the silver medallist from Noumea 2011, finished in 59:04, well ahead of Zorgnotti’s 1:02.11 with Mathieu Szalamacha of New Caledonia taking bronze in 1:03.41. Twenty-year-old Zorgnotti, who finished fifth at Noumea 2011 as a 16-year-old, was pleased with his performance. “I am a young athlete, but I am happy with what I did,” Zorgnotti said. “I know that I am better at swimming because I finished close behind the New Caledonian (Lucini) but he was better at cycling.”New Caledonia won both team events as well. New Caledonia also took the mixed team gold medal based on a combination of the best three placings across both individual events. Tahiti won silver with Guam grabbing bronze. The team medals will be presented at a 10:00 victory ceremony on Monday at the Naval Base venue. Pacific Games Media Papua New Guinea's female weight lifter Dika Toua lifted record 110 kg to snatch gold for Papua New Guinea. The silver went to Australian weight lifter while Fiji got the bronze medal
PNG is in first spot with 3 gold medals, New Caledonia on the 2nd spot with 2 gold medals and 2 bronze, while Tahiti has snatched 2 silver medals for triathlon and Fiji 3 bronze.
Congratulations to 3 of our young female weightlifters who did very well today at the PNG Power Dome. Thelma Toua, won 3 Gold Medals in each of her 3 categories with an additional gold for the Oceania Qualifiers, while the Ovia sisters Jillian and Bea, won 2 gold medals for both the junior and youth Oceania Medals. Australia took out SILVER in the 3 Weightlifting Categories, while Fiji took out the 3rd spot for the 3 categories as well. Meanwhile, in the Males Triathlon Race which also ended today, New Caledonia has taken out GOLD AND BRONZE, while the Silver medals was presented to Tahiti, meanwhile, in the Women’s Race Triathlon race this morning, New Caledonia won gold, the Silver Medal went to Tahiti and New Caledonia again won Bronze. Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has officially welcome the 3000 athletes to the games on behalf of the people of Papua New Guinea.
The prime minister at the opening ceremony last night has urged them to play their sports in the spirit of sports and enjoy every moment of Papua New Guinea's hospitality. Peter ONeill extended his gratitude to the Games organizing Committee for the spectacular ceremony ever displayed. Prime Minister Peter O'Neill was the proudest man ever when he walked beside the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, to take up the podium to officiate the opening ceremony. ONeill proudly told the fellow Pacific Islanders this is the best time to live in the Pacific, as great things will happened. "People of Papua New Guinea welcome you to our nation, our capital city, visitors from the 24 games nations, we also welcome you Your Royal Highness, the Duke of York, to once again open the Pacific Game in Port Moresby. I know that this game will be the best game ever, and many new records will be set". He assured the athletes the sports facilities are of the world standard and they should enjoy, and make this games a memorable one. NBC NEW CALEDONIA TAKES OUT 1ST GOLD IN GAMES
The Males Triathon Race has ended with the Medal Presentation now underway at the BSP Stadium. New Caledonia has taken out GOLD AND BRONZE, while Silver will be handed over to Tahiti. In the Women’s Race this morning, the race kicked off successfully with the first Gold Medal presented to New Caledonia and the Silver Medal went to Tahiti and New Caledonia again won Bronze. The 2nd leg is now underway. PNG’s Rachael Sapery James came 4th in this race. PORT MORESBY, July 5 – A strong sailing culture across the Pacific islands means the sport will be keenly contested at Port Moresby 2015.
At the Noumea 2011 Pacific Games, the six gold medals were shared by New Caledonia, Tahiti and the Cook Islands. The latter is set to be a leading contender again, with Laser radial sailors Helema Williams (COK) and Teau Moana McKenzie (COK) the only gold medallists defending 2011 titles in Port Moresby. They may face a strong challenge from Australia and New Zealand, who are taking part in the Pacific Games for the first time. There will once again be a total of 18 medals up for grabs in Port Moresby in three events: the men’s and women’s laser single and the mixed Hobie Cat single. In addition to the three individual gold medals available, there are another three team titles to be won. The competition will consist of 36 races taking place over six days from Monday July 6 until Saturday July 11 at the Royal Papua Yacht Club, located along the Fairfax Harbour in Port Moresby. There will be six races per day, two in each class, making a total of 12 races per class. Each boat will get a series score after it has completed five races. The boat’s series score will be the total of race scores excluding the worst score. When 11 or more races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of race scores excluding the two worst scores. A team consists of two boats from a country in each class, with their scores added together to form the team total. Pacific Games Media Pacific Games Media |
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