HONIARA: An 18-strong Solomon Island Olympic Squad will be tested tomorrow against KOSSA FC in their second friendly match at the SIFF Academy.
The national U-23 head coach Luke Eroi said the 18 players are amongst the final 20 who will represent the country at the OFC Olympic qualifiers in Fiji later next month.
The date with KOSSA is important for both teams as they prepare for their respective competitions.
Eroi said he anticipates a strong encounter similar to the first match between the two sides which KOSSA won 2-1 and was a tough and exciting affair.
The 18-strong side will be joined by two New Zealand based players who will join them at a later date.
Waitakere United striker Benjamin Totori will join the team on February 24th and Canterbury United midfielder Michael Fifif’i will arrive to meet his team mates on February
13th.
Eroi said he banks his hopes on New Zealand’s national league leading goal scorer Benjamin Totori who has amassed an incredible 42 goals from 45 NZFC career appearances.
Eroi said that selecting the final 18 had not been easy and at the end of the day a player is considered both for his ability and good attitude.
Fifi’i was excited about the prospect of joining his countrymen for the Olympic qualifiers.
“Representing my country is one of the goals of my career and I thank my club for understanding and releasing me for the qualifiers.”