Papua New Guinea is looking to move on quickly from their OFC Nations Cup defeat in a one-off football international against Malaysia in Port Moresby today.
The Kapuls were beaten on penalties by New Zealand in the tournament final at the weekend, having held the All Whites scoreless through 120 minutes of normal and extra time.
Head coach Flemming Serritslev said the Nations Cup was a big boost for football in PNG and he wants to continue that momentum against Malaysia.
"I'm hoping for a very good performance from our own team. To be totally honest, I don't know anything about the level of Malaysia but if we can perform as we have done during the whole Nations Cup, and also during the final against New Zealand, I hope we can make a good result."
Papua New Guinea and New Zealand met in the OFC Nations Cup final last weekend. Photo: OFC via Phototek
Papua New Guinea have risen five places in the latest FIFA rankings to 193 in the World, 20 places below Malaysia.
The national team had no internationals in the two months before the OFC Nations Cup
Papua New Guinea coach Flemming Serritslev issues instructions. Photo: OFC via Phototek
Flemming Serritslev hoped their performances at the Nations Cup will help to secure more international matches in the build-up to next year's third round of World Cup qualifying.
"In autumn there are three FIFA windows and we hope that it will be possible for us to have friendly games in all three FIFA windows," he said.
"I'm very optimistic that our performance has shown also countries in Asia that we are absolutely ready to perform also against Asian countries."
Malaysia will also play friendly internationals in New Caledonia and Fiji over the next week and a half.
