SIFF, Honiara: Solomon Islands interim National Coach, Alan Gillett, has named his 18-strong squad for two friendly matches against Vanuatu this weekend. The Englishman who arrived in early March says he will use the matches to identify the best possible side to represent the country in the combined OFC World Cup and Nations Cup qualifying tournament in Honiara in May.
The national team will travel to Vanuatu on 1 April where they will play two matches on 3 and 6 April at the Korman Stadium in Port Vila. The team returns on April 8.
The team will resume training on 13 April to prepare for two friendly matches against Adelaide Force in Honiara between April 17 and 19. To cap off their build-up, Solomon Islands will travel to Fiji for three friendly matches.
Senior players in the squad will quietly be trying to rectify the disappointment of the national team’s performance in 2003. Memory of their loss to Fiji in the South Pacific Games is still vivid in the minds of those that were in the SPG squad in 2003.
Commins Menapi, Batram Suri and upcoming soccer sensation Alick Maemae would use the occasion to rebuild the pride that Solomon Islands once held in the region.
Solomon Islands Squad to tour Vanuatu
1. SEVERINO AEFI
2. LUCIAN SIKWA’AE
3. LESLIE LEO
4. MARTIN RUHASIA
5. GIDEON OMOKIRIO
6. MAHLON HOUKARAWA
7. NELSON SALE
8. PHILIP KAUKUI
9. HENRY FA’ARODO JNR
10. GEORGE LUI
11. PAUL KAKAI JNR
12. FRANCIS WASI
13. ROBERT FIRIGENI
14. MOSES TOATA
15. STANLEY WAITA
16. BATRAM SURI
17. COMMINS MENAPI
18. ALICK MAEMAE