The Warriors, as they are popularly known locally, are relying only on training due to the absence of a current local competition and so far the club has taken this viewpoint to heart. With dual daily training sessions the players appear to be picking up pace and settling into a rhythm. Several friendly matches have also indicated the strength of the team with their tally of four wins out of five.
According to club secretary Kenton Sade preparations are going well and Solomon Warriors are looking forward to playing in the OFC Champions League.
“The team is doing well in training under the guidance of our technical team. Each day the players are getting sharper and results from our friendly matches last month show that we are on the right track,” Sade says.
“We surely share the ambitions of other clubs in the competitions – we aim to do our best and do well. We anticipate that our pool will be competitive because our opponents are all former finalists including Hekari United who won the competition in 2010.
“This will be our first taste of international football so we are excited but we are well aware of the responsibility that we have. We play for our club and for our country as well but we welcome this responsibility and we are pooling all our resources to back a good campaign.”
With their sizeable shopping exercise behind them the team has now taken form thanks to the successful signings of three overseas players. The three imports include English goalkeeper Eddie Newman, defender Brian Kaltack and midfielder Nemani Roqara, the latter of whom are both from Vanuatu. This, coupled with the return of former stars Gibson Daudau and Tigi Molea from Vanuatu, has boosted the confidence of the debutants who already have access to top quality players in Judd Molea, Jerry Donga and Jeffery Bule.
The line up also boasts a lethal attack in the speedy Micah Lea’alafa and former Waitakere United player Gagame Feni who has an eye for goal.
Beyond that the club has also secured the services of former Nelson Suburbs manager Brendan Chrichton who enters the picture as the head coach of Solomon Warriors. The New Zealander has history with the club having been at the helm when they finished runners up in the National Club Championship in 2010. Chrichton is expected to instil the final touches required by the team before the competition starts.
Solomon Warriors will kick off their campaign in the OFC Champions League at home on 30 March against Vanuatu champions Amicale. This will be followed by a visit by Fijian champions Ba on 3 April.
Following the two home matches Solomon Warriors will travel to Vanuatu for the return match against Amicale on 13 April and then head to Ba for another away game on 17 April. Their final group matches are both against Hekari United, at home on 20 April and away on 27 April.
If Solomon Warriors finish inside the upper half of the OFC Champions League Group A table they will proceed to the semi-finals where they will meet either the top or second-placed team in Group B. The semi-finals are also played in a home-and-away format and will take place on 4 and 11 May.
The OFC Champions League final is scheduled for 19 May.
For more on Solomon Islands football go to www.siff.com.sb

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