Words: Garry McKenzie
Image: Chris Simpson

Debutant Nigel Dabinyaba added a touch of international class to Western Pride’s win over Moreton Bay United at Briggs Rd Sporting Complex on Saturday night.

The Papua New Guinean International striker forced several saves from Jets keeper Matthew Stein before Mitchell Bird found the back of the net with twenty minutes to go.

Dabinyaba, 23, joined Pride from Lae City Dweller where he won this year’s Papua New Guinea National Soccer League Championship.

In June, the attacking utility scored twice in Papua New Guinea’s run to the OFC Nations Cup Final where a fairy-tale finish was only thwarted in a penalty shootout by regional heavyweights New Zealand.

Pride Coach Graham Harvey was a keen observer of the tournament and said he had been particularly impressed by Dabinyaba.

“His close ball control is good and he’s obviously very quick,” Harvey said.

“Combine those two together and he will cause some teams problems until the end of the season.”

Pride has been developing close ties the Oceania region in recent seasons, with the club having played both Papua New Guinea and New Zealand national teams in friendly matches.

Pride’s playing ranks include current Samoan Under 20 Women’s defender Camilla Falaniko Ah Ki and former New Zealand youth international Geoff Macintyre, while Under 18 Boys coach Krishneel Maharaj previously played for the Fijian Under 23 side.

Harvey said he hoped Dabinyaba’s signing would signal the next step of the growing relationship with the neighbouring confederation.

“I’ve been looking at developing a few links for Pride outside of Australia, PNG being one of them,” Harvey said.

“When I heard Nigel was available for a short stint I thought it was important to bring him over because in the long term there is a plan to develop a two-way relationship with PNG.”

In making his debut against Moreton Bay, Dabinyaba has also become the first current full international to play in the PlayStation® 4 National Premier Leagues Queensland competition.

He is also the second capped international to play for Pride after foundation coach and ex-Socceroo Kasey Wehrman fielded himself in a handful of games.

Pride also gained international know-how last season when 49-cap Matilda Karla Reuter served as assistant Men’s coach.

Pride are hopeful several of their current young players are on the right path towards future full international honours with Faliniko Ah Ki’s Samoa runners-up in last season’s OFC U20 Women’s Championships behind New Zealand.

Holly McQueen and Bon Scott are also on the radar having been asked to train with the Under 16 Mini Matilda’s and Under 20 Joeys squads respectively in the last year.