The build-up for the friendly games began a fortnight ago when Vanuatu confirmed they would be travelling for the first leg of the four-match home-and-away series and Solomon Islands agreed they would reciprocate later in the month. Tomorrow’s match falls on Solomon Islands Independence Day and a good crowd is expected to show up for their national team’s first international outing since 2008.
The matches are geared at assisting both countries to select their final squads for the upcoming Pacific Games in New Caledonia in August. Solomon Islands currently has 46 players in the training squad and the final 25 are likely to be named at the end of the month.
A lot of expectation will be weighing on the shoulders of the Bonitos players to perform, especially with a deficit of two losses from their last two meetings with Vanuatu. But the fact that the team is still in training squad form will offer some defence for the management.
Vanuatu, on the other hand, carry with them a fair advantage and will want to keep their winning record intact. The side flew into the country yesterday and is noticeably younger than the squad which last toured the Solomon Islands, for the Our Telekom Wantok Cup in 2008.
Notably missing from the Vanuatu line-up is 2011 O-League Golden Boot Fenedy Masauvakalo, who fans in Honiara would have been delighted to see in action for his country. Yet the talent on show from the youngsters in the side should still be enough to satisfy a Solomon Islands crowd eager for any international football.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference this afternoon, Vanuatu assistant coach Philemon John acknowledged his side is young and missing the experience of some well-known names but stressed there is still plenty of talent in the line-up.
“Most of our senior players are otherwise engaged and are not able to make the trip but I have confidence that my younger players will come of age this week,” John said. “We expect Solomon Islands to be tough but we will play our game and maintain our objectives for this tour.”
The side Vanuatu will be up against tomorrow is dominated by veterans and features local heroes such as Gideon Omokirio, Stanley Waita and George Lui. Jeffery Bule is the freshest face in the team and was called up to take James Naka’s place after the Rewa star was sidelined for medical reasons.
Coach Jacob Moli says his intention is to assess the performance of the senior players in the current training squad and make his judgement about their future.
“My line-up for tomorrow is mostly composed of the older players,” he said. “It is a great opportunity for them to prove themselves to the team management and the public.”
It is expected that a team consisting of the younger players in the training squad will be fielded in the second friendly match on Saturday.
Moli explained that the qualities his coaching staff will be looking for are match fitness, endurance and speed, as well as the ability to contribute to whatever game plan that is employed.
“Speed is important for me because the pace of football nowadays is quick. Players need to show they can perform effectively at a higher pace,” he said.
The match will kick off at 3pm tomorrow at Lawson Tama Stadium following celebrations to mark Independence Day.
For more on Solomon Islands football go to www.siff.com.sb