The Solomon Islands National Beach Soccer coach Henry Koto says his team remains determined to reach the second round at this November’s 2009 Beach Soccer World Cup in Dubai, despite being placed in a gruelling pool.

The Bilikiki are grouped in Pool A along with Portugal, Uruguay, and hosts the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after the official FIFA draw last weekend.

Portugal and Uruguay are both former Beach Soccer World Cup finalists and will be extremely tough opposition.

Speaking for the first time after the draws were announced, Koto is remaining upbeat whilst acknowledging that the Bilikiki’s pool is a tough one.

"Nevertheless, the boys are confident that we will do well and improve on our past record at World Cups."

"This is a World Cup and we expect it to be tough, so this draw did not come as a shock," Koto added.

Koto also restated that the aim of the team remains the same, and that is to progress to the second round.

The Bilikiki will play their opening game against Uruguay in what will be their second meeting against the South Americans at a Beach Soccer World Cup. The Bilikiki previously met Uruguay at the 2006 Beach Soccer World Cup in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where the South American giants handed the Pacific Islanders a 10 – 5 defeat. Uruguary later progressed to the finals where it lost to Brazil.

Team Manager, Rueben Oimae, backed his coach saying that his team is still confident that they can win their opener against Uruguay. He added that the prospect of playing international friendlies will further boost the team’s ability to find top form ahead of their World Cup opening match.

Portugal

The Solomon Islands has played against Portugal in every one of its campaigns in the World Cup so far. The former World Champions have an unbeaten record against Bilikiki but the Pacific Islanders are optimistic that they have learnt enough to turn the tables against the European giants at this championship.

Portugal boasts one of the best Beach Soccer players to have ever graced the sand in the form of Madjer. Madjer won the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Player of the Tournament award in 2005 and 2006.

Banking On Experience

Koto says that he expects an experienced core of players in this 2009 Bilikiki team to display a higher level of play at this World Cup.

For Gideon Omokirio, James Naka, Eddie Ngaitini and Fred Hale this will be the fourth time that they will play in a Beach Soccer World Cup. Koto believes that it is this experience combined with the aggressive style of the younger players in the squad that will lift the Bilikiki.

Some of the new players in the Bilikiki team are already making ripples in the beach side code in just their first appearances. Robert Laua impressed spectators and even the team management with his agility and speed on the sand in the OFC Qualifiers in Tahiti last month.

"Robert is new but he is very good, he is quick footed and also quick to recover for defence," Koto said.

Robert Laua was already a local household name in Futsal when he impressed National Beach Soccer selectors with his performance in the Honiara Beach Soccer League last year.

Bilikiki’s second match will be against hosts United Arab Emirates. They will need to take wins against both Uruguay and UAE to meet their goal of a berth in the second round.

Courtesy of SIFF Media