A 16-man squad was announced in April after trials involving 24 players selected from the Our Telekom National Futsal Championships in March. This number has now been trimmed down to the final line-up which will represent the Solomon Islands in the OFC champs, to be held from August 9 to 14 in Suva.
There are four new players named in the squad.
David Lafai has found favour as the new number two goalkeeper behind Paul Huia, who remains the best futsal goalkeeper in the country. Lafai replaces long-time team member Alick Lioka Jnr.
The other three new names are George Stevenson, Coleman Makau and Jeffery Bule, well-known as Koloale’s lethal left winger in the 11-a-side code.
Stevenson and Makau have not been involved with the futsal squad before but caught the eye of selectors during the national champs. Bule, on the other hand, has participated in several trials held in previous years.
Coach Kadau feels the time is right for new players to enter the squad and bolster the team for the future.
“The new players are part of the development squad and exposing them to international competition will help them mature and mould into their role as national futsal players,” he says.
Kadau thinks he has unearthed a couple of gems.
“George Stevenson is a very strong player and his reaction and ability to recover to defend is top class. Coleman Makau will complement Jack Wetney as a goal setter.”
The Solomon Islands are the defending champions after defeating Fiji 8-1 in the final at Suva’s Vodafone Arena last year. They have no intention of giving up their crown this time.
“Our training is more intensive as we enter the final two months of preparations,” Kadau says. “The boys are focused on our goal and that is to defend our title.”
The Solomon Islands squad for the OFC Futsal Championships, to be held in Fiji from August 9 to 14 is:
Paul Huia (GK), David Lafai (GK), Elliot Ragomo (captain), Jack Wetney, James Egeta, Moffat Sikwa’ae, Jenan Kapu, Micah Lea’alafa, George Stevenson, Jeffery Bule, Coleman Makau, Lenson Bisili.
Non-travelling reserves: Robert Laua, Matthias Saru.
Head coach: Dickson Kadau
Assistant coach: Jerry Sam
Manager: Mapuru Tausinga
Story courtesy of the Solomon Islands Football Federation.
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