The announcement of the squad comes on the back of a grueling month of trials for the more than forty selectees who signed up. The trials included a number of local test matches and at least four friendlies with overseas sides including the Papua New Guinea Under-23 Team and Hekari United.
This has given the management enough time to assess the players in the training squad, hence, the arrival of the list. According to the head coach, there is confidence in the team management that the best players possible have been named for the squad.
“The selection process was fair and enabled players to demonstrate their ability in training as well in test matches. I feel confident that squad we now have is a quality one and the best that could be selected from our current pool,” says Miniti.
At the same time, Miniti has warned the players in the squad not to become complacent because the selection process is not over. Only twenty players will make the trip to Papua New Guinea under current regulations so competition for places will be hot over the next three months since at least nine more players will get the axe.
Miniti explains that his management will continuously scrutinize players over the remaining training period to ensure that the best players in terms of fitness, skills and tactical ability are the ones that make the trip.
“The message is even if you are named in this squad but your performance becomes unsatisfactory then someone else who performs better than you has to replace you,” Miniti says.
The Pacific Games men’s competitions is also the qualifiers for the Olympic Games in Brazil in 2016.
Traditionally, the Pacific Games men’s competitions is played at senior level and New Zealand does not take part. Solomon Islands has not yet won gold at the Pacific Games in men’s football but has won silver on three occasions in 1991, 1995 and 2011.
Solomon Islands U-23 Squad:
1. Phillip Mango
2. Timothy Mae’arasia
3. James Do’oro
4. Loea Mani
5. Jared Rongosulia
6. Tigi Molea
7. Fredrick Dola
8. Jimmy Raramane
9. Tome Davidson
10. Harrison Mala
11. Atana Fa’arodo
12. Joes Panga
13. Alex Waimora
14. Bony Pride
15. Dunstan Quanafia
16. Tutizama Tanito
17. Atkin Kaua
18. George Ladoga
19. Fred Bala
20. Simon Daoi
21. John Misitana
22. Nathaniela Bero