A dejected Kurukuru side left Nimibutr Stadium on Saturday but there are signs that the team’s spirit is on the mend with the mood in the camp now one of hope and renewed determination.
Head coach Dickson Kadau has made it clear to his players after Saturday’s loss that the Russian game is in the past but their campaign can be salvaged with wins in their last two matches.
“I understand that the players were in pain after the loss against Russia but we have to look forward to our remaining pool matches,” Kadau says.
“As far as I am concerned the Russian defeat is history and beyond our reach but we are still in control of our destiny when it comes to Colombia and Guatemala.”
Their match against Colombia will be crucial if the Kurukuru want to recover any hopes of going into the second round but even a win there may not be enough.
The team would then need another three points against Guatemala to qualify outright behind Russia. On paper this seems a straight forward affair but on the court it will be a different story.
Colombia opened their campaign with a 5-2 loss against Guatemala, despite leading 2-1 at one point in the game, and will prove difficult for the Kurukuru to beat.
The classy South American side qualified in fourth from CONMEBOL and their path to the World Cup included matches against Brazil and Argentina.
Faced with an effective attacking side, the Kurukuru will be hoping to capitalise on Colombia’s defensive lapses to turn the game in their favour.
Guatemala are favourites to qualify from Group F alongside Russia so the Kurukuru will have their work cut out for them when they come up against the Central Americans on Friday.
However, a previous meeting at the Alfateh Intercontinental Championship in Libya ended in a 6-6 draw with the Guatemaleans forced to come from behind.
That was three years ago and Guatemala have improved vastly since then – but so have the Kurukuru.
The key for the Kurukuru according to their captain, Elliot Ragomo, is to stay cool and play with the belief they can win.
“In the World Cup it is about your country – you want to get emotional and against Russia we suffered for that. In our next two games we have to play smartly and objectively and leave our emotions in the dressing room,” Ragomo says.
“The question about whether we can win will be settled after the final whistle has sounded. But if you ask whether we believe that we can win? Yes, we believe that we can. That is one thing we all share.”
The clash against Colombia takes place this afternoon at 5pm local time at Nimibutr Stadium while the match against Guatemala will be played at the same time on Friday at Huamark Hall.
For more on Solomon Islands football go to www.siff.com.sb

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