Photo Credit: OFC Media via Phototek
Solomon Islands came within 90 minutes of advancing to the OFC-CONCACAF Playoff for the FIFA World Cup 2022™ in Qatar and will be hoping to go one better this time around.
After defeating Tahiti in the group stage, they overcame Papua New Guinea in an epic semi-final before ultimately succumbing to New Zealand in the final.
Much has changed since 2022 and a new coach and fresh group of players will be looking to make a positive impact when Group A action gets underway in Suva this week.
Australian Josh Smith is the man in charge for Solomon Islands and he’s tasked with improving upon a disappointing showing in the OFC Men’s Nations Cup earlier this year, when they lost both group stage matches en route to a first round elimination.
It won’t be easy however, with their first group stage match seeing them face Fiji in Suva, with what will no doubt be a passionate home crowd in attendance. Navigate that challenge unscatched and fixtures against New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea in November will decide their fate.
Their fixture against New Caledonia on November 14 is one to keep an eye on. As well as being key in deciding the outcome of Group A, it’s also a rematch of the gold medal final at last year’s Pacific Games in Honiara, where Solomon Islands lost on penalties to New Caledonia in heartbreaking fashion.
Smith hasn’t been in the hot seat long, so has had little time to adjust to the new role as he begins preparations for a pivotal few weeks.
“I’ve been in Solomon Islands for two weeks now. This is our second full week together, but it’s been challenging due to a lot of local games that need to still be played and catch up matches midweek. You know, this is part of the challenge of being a national team coach.
“So pretty interrupted, but, you know, we’ll do the best that we possibly can to prepare the boys and make sure they’re ready for the 10th of October,” Smith said.
With just under a month between the first match in Suva and the second and third fixtures in Papua New Guinea in November, Smith is keeping one eye on what’s to come for his side after they face the challenge of Fiji.
“Look, to be honest, I think if I was to come in here and say that I’m only focused on this first game against Fiji, I wouldn’t be telling you the truth. My idea on this whole project is to create better players and better pathways for players that can join Australian leagues and New Zealand leagues.
“For me this is the piece of the puzzle that’s missing in the development of long-term success for the Solomon Islands. Yes, the first game is super important but I’m really excited about having three weeks with the team after that when we come back uninterrupted before we go to play against Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia,” he continued.
Solomon Islands fixtures
FIFA World Cup 26™ Oceania Qualifiers
(kick-off times local)
Thursday, October 10
v Fiji, 7:00pm, HFC Bank Stadium, Suva
Thursday, November 14
v New Caledonia, 1:00pm, PNG Football Stadium, Port Moresby
Sunday, November 17
v Papua New Guinea, 4:00pm, PNG Football Stadium, Port Moresby