Solomon Islands Solympics U-23 will open their OFC Men’s Olympic Qualifier 2019 against American Samoa tomorrow at the ANZ Stadium in Suva, Fiji.
On the back of plenty of hard work over the past few months as well as some useful build-up matches leading up to the tournament, Solomon Islands coach Batram Suri is confident his players are in great shape to kick off their campaign.
“The boys are looking sharp and ready,” he said.
“We’ve played a few friendly games against the Solomon Warriors and Henderson Eels and we did very well against them and we believe we arrived here ready to take on anybody, including New Zealand in on our pool,” Suri explained.
With Fiji based Darold Kakasi, his strike partner Adrian Mara and Augustine Waita in midfield the Solomon Islanders have plenty of experienced leaders as well as some young up-and-comers itching to make the step up.
“It’s not just about individuals but the entire team, we have a well-balanced squad with a good mix of youth and experience,’ insisted the Solomon Islands coach.
Kakasi who plays for Ba FC in the Fiji national Football League, and coach Suri with years of experience in Fiji with Nadi FC and Nasinu FC, will both have valuable knowledge regarding the local conditions.
“I do know the conditions here and we enjoy playing in the heat. Our first match will kick off at midday, and we have been training at midday in similar heat in our academy in Honiara so we are used to it,” explained Suri.
“I know there is a big local Solomon Islands community in Suva and I hope they will come out to support us and also some of my friends from the time I’ve been here,” the Solomons coach added.
Suri admits he has limited knowledge of their first opponents American Samoa, but he is confident his side will be able to deal with any challenge thrown at them.
“I don’t know much about American Samoa, and it’s not easy to come up with a strategy when you are not sure about their style and the type of football they play, so it will be a challenge.
“But it’s a challenge we are looking forward to. It’s important we start strong and we score goals,” said Suri.
American Samoa are also full of confidence going into their opening encounter and coach Stephen Settle couldn’t be happier with his side’s preparations for the tournament.
“The boys have been working extremely hard in the past few months and our fitness level is high, they have been pushing each other and they are very excited for the opportunity,” he said.
Settle insists his side came to Fiji with high ambitions.
“We want to compete, we are not here just to make up the numbers. We will face Solomons, New Zealand and Samoa and we want to advance to the knock out stage,” he said.
“We have a great group of boys who have worked really hard. We are a family, we have a lot of togetherness and when you are a family you fight for each other and this group is ready to do that,” Settle explained.
Although the American Samoans are under no illusion about the challenge they will face in their opening match, the coach is adamant his team can’t wait for kick off.
“We haven’t been able to find too much about the Solomons other than what we saw with their senior team just recently at the Pacific Games, where our boys faced them. We are familiar with their high technical abilities, we know they are extremely fit, but we can’t wait and we know we are going to be in for a very good game,” he insisted.
Additional Information
Solomon Islands vs. American Samoa
Saturday 21 September
ANZ Stadium
Suva, FIJI KO: 12:00
#OFCOQM #SOLASA
Click on link for the live stream
Match Officials
Referee: Mederic LACOUR
(NCL)
Assistant Referee 1:
Folio MOEAKI (TGA)
Assistant Referee 2:
Jeremy GARAE (VAN)
Fourth Official: David
YAREBOINEN (PNG)
SOLOMON ISLANDS – 1.
Desmond TUTU (GK), 2. Junior DAVID, 3. John AETA, 4. Aengari GAGAME, 5. William
KOMASI, 6. Rodney SURI, 7. Augustine WAITA, 8. Patrick TAROGA, 9. Adrian MARA,
10. Darold KAKASI, 11. Tuita MAEOBIA, 12. Harold NAUANIA (GK), 13. Alick
KITALO, 14. Steve MAELASI, 15. George LEAGA, 16. Frank KABUI17. John OGE,
18. Molis Junior GAGAME, 19. Raynick LAETA, 20. Joel NANAGO (GK)
Head Coach: Batram SURI
(Solomon Islands)
AMERICAN SAMOA – 1. Hengihengi IKUVALU (GK), 2. Milo TIATIA, 3. Mark TAGA’I, 4. Gabriel TAUMUA, 5. Walter PATI, 6. Takai POULI, 7. Austin KALEOPA, 8. Ueli TUALAULELEI, 9. Chris FAAMOANA, 10. Michael SETTLE, 11. Matthew TAGA’I, 12. Roy LEDOUX, 13. Joseph COLLINS, 14. James SETTLE, 15. Afa SIONE, 16. Xavior LEATUALEVAO, 17. Gogo POASA, 18. Mark ASHLEY, 23. Ken UTI (GK)
Head Coach: Stephen SETTLE (USA)
Courtesy: OFC Media
