The new 20-strong squad for the Kirios, as the side is known in its football-mad homeland, is based mainly on the same players who took part in OFC’s premier women’s tournament in Auckland last September but Inifiri has been able to make several key additions.
He has selected 16 of the players who performed admirably at the Nation’s Cup and that base will be complemented by the striking pair of Vanessa Inifiri and Laydah Samani, who both missed the tournament due to personal commitments.
Another to have made the cut is promising young defender Cathy Aihunu, who starred for her country at the 2010 OFC U-17 Women’s Championship in Auckland.
The 16-year-old is making a name for herself as one of the brightest defensive prospects in the Solomon Islands for some time and will be joined in the squad by the three other players also not involved in the Nation’s Cup – fellow defenders Audrey Jack and Margaret Belo, and forward Alice Billy.
The list was actually finalised in June but its annoucement has been delayed to coincide with the naming of the Bonitos national men’s team.
“We have put the squad in place in good time and have been able to work them into the style of play we are wanting,” Inifiri says.
“I am confident the team is ready for the Pacific Games and is capable of matching the big names in this competition.”
The Kirios do not have a long history of competing at this level – Inifiri points out that they have only attended several international tournaments – but the coach believes their performances are improving with each showing.
“It was only recently that we started sending a women’s team to international competitions and it goes without saying that we have improved each time against the top teams in the Pacific. This is another opportunity for us to make ground on our opponents – eventually the Solomons will be among the best women’s teams in Oceania.”
The Kirios failed to make it past the group stages of the 2007 Pacific Games in Samoa, the last edition of the tournament, but notched a win over American Samoa and a draw against Cook Islands. The goals were shared amongst four players, two of which – Samani and Crystal Bwakolo – are in the current squad while another, Margaret Daudau, is a non-travelling reserve.
Bwakolo’s outing at the Nations Cup was cruelly interupted by injury but she brings experience to the team and her speed and eye for goal will be great assets in New Caledonia.
Midfielder Mary Maefiti, a team mate of Aihunu at the OFC U-17 event, has also been included but, somewhat surprisingly, Veronica Tolivaka, who captained the Solomons to second place at that tournament and took part in the Nation’s Cup, has been demoted to a non-travelling role.
The team should arrive in New Caledonia in top condition – trainer Fa’amoana Topue has guided the players through an intensive fitness regime – and they will be well prepared to impose themselves physically after playing matches against local men’s teams such as Dragons and Kikaraon, who are made up of retired players.
The Kirios have been drawn in the five-team Group A and will meet hosts New Caledonia, American Samoa, Papua New Guinea and Tahiti. Their first match is on August 27 against New Caledonia in Noumea.
Solomon Islands women’s squad for XIV Pacific Games
Goalkeepers
Betty Sade (Solomon Warriors)
Annie Geli (Marist)
Defenders
Rose Gwali (Solomon Warriors)
Audrey Jack (Marist)
Everlyn Asibara (Solomon Warriors)
Brenda Masae (Solomon Warriors)
Belinda Susana (Koloale)
Cathy Aihunu (unattached)
Margaret Belo (Solomon Warriors)
Midfield
Betty Maenu’u (Marist)
Mary Maefiti (Koloale)
Sally Saeni (Junior Flamingo)
Ella Misibini (Solomon Warriors)
Ileen Pegi (Solomon Warriors)
Crystal Bwakolo (Koloale)
Mesalyn Saepio (Koloale)
Forwards
Laydah Samani (Solomon Warriors)
Vanessa Inifiri (unattached)
Prudence Fula (Solomon Warriors)
Alice Billy (Solomon Warriors)
Non-travelling reserves:
Gael Donga (Solomon Warriors)
Margareth Daudau (unattached)
Veronica Tolivaka (Marist)
For more on Solomon Islands football go to www.siff.com.sb

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