A meeting on Saturday, attended by SIFF interim management and members of the technical department, resolved that preparations must begin immediately with the final matches of Stage 3 FIFA World Cup qualifying barely two months away.
The bulk of the 33 players are set to play locally this season, but the Bonitos also have several overseas-based players including established team members Benjamin Totori and Henry Fa’arodo, as well as several newcomers to the line-up such as Michael Fifi’i and Joachim Rade.
The first of the remaining matches is an away clash against Tahiti in Papeete on March 22, followed by the final match at home against the All Whites on March 26.
While the Solomon Islands’ chances of progressing to the home-and-away playoff against the fourth placed CONCACAF side are slim to none, SIFF has expressed a desire for the team to put emphasis on their preparations to ensure a respectable finish.
Currently, the Solomon Islands team are third in the table with a single win from four matches and can only hope for a second-place finish at best.
Only New Zealand and New Caledonia, who sit first and second in the table, have a chance of going to the next stage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying process.
New Caledonia are looking to make history but their dream of qualifying will require wins against both New Zealand away and Tahiti at home, coupled with at least one loss for New Zealand.
Bonitos training squad for FIFA World Cup qualifiers
Leon Fox, Samson Koti, Tome Faisi, Samson Takayama, Hadisi Aengari, Seni Ngava, Christopher Tafoa, George Wagena, Adika Maeta, Emmanuel Poila, Aleck Wickham, Loni Qaraba, Timothy Joe, Leslie Nate, Gagame Feni, Mostyn Beui, Jeffery Bule, Tutizama Tanito, Himson Teleda, Jack Wetney, Leonard Rokoto, Judd Molea, James Naka, Joachim Waroi, Joe Luwi, Ian Paia, Nelson Sale, Henry Fa’arodo, Michael Fifi’i, Benjamin Totori, Andrew Abba, Joachim Rade, Joses Nawo
For more on Solomon Islands football go to www.siff.com.sb

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