HONIARA – Brisbane Wolves coach Paul Edwards says a month long lay-off will not be a factor as his team prepare to tackle a three match tour of Solomon Islands this week. Brisbane Wolves finished fifth in its Brisbane Premier Division campaign but Edwards is confident his players will embrace the opportunity to sample some international football.

The Queensland-based team arrived in Honiara seven hours late after a technical issue with their scheduled flight and were greeted by sweltering temperatures and high humidity.

Paul Edwards’ team still took the opportunity to enjoy a light training run at Lawson Tama Stadium this morning.

Edwards and his opposite number, Koloale coach, Luke Eroi, were coy ahead of the opening clash this afternoon and refused to make predictions.

“Our first training was warm and sticky, but the players are excited and look forward for the match this afternoon."

"We’ve kept the players in the right frame of mind for this tour by training twice a week since our season ended."

“I think I got a good mixer of players – those with experience and the young ones.

We will give all the players particularly our young ones with the opportunity to blossom,” Edwards told SIFF Media.

His team captain Paul Mikula refused to use the heat as any type of excuse ahead of the match.

"The team has adjusted to the weather here and I’m certain we won’t be affected too much by the humidity."

Koloale coach Luke Eroi said he expected the match to be more physical than the DJ Premier League matches, but was confident that Koloale would be a match for their Australian opponents.

The Solomon Islands 2009 O-League representatives will play two matches against Brisbane Wolves.

Solomon Islands national team will play Brisbane Wolves tomorrow.

HONIARA HUMIDITY COULD BE A FACTOR?

The humidity in Honiara, Solomon Islands, has proved a useful factor for the home side when hosting opponents from less warm climes.

www.oceaniafootball.com takes a look back at various results to pick the pattern.

Waitakere United

New Zealand Football Championship (NZFC) and two-times OFC O-League winners, Waitakere United, lost to Kossa FC 3-1 in Honiara in the 2008 OFC O-League Final,1st Leg.

Socceroos

Australia struggled to a 2-1 win over Solomon Islands at Lawson Tama Stadium, in a 2006 FIFA World Cup Qualifier back in 2005.

New Zealand U-20

26.08.88    vs. Solomon Islands (A)     drew 1-1

28.08.88 vs. Solomon Islands (A)    lost 1-2

30.08.88 vs. Solomon Islands (A)    won 2-1

22.08.90    vs. Solomon Islands (A)    lost 0-4

25.08.90    vs. Solomon Islands (A)    drew 0-0

26.08.90    vs. Solomon Islands (A)    lost 0-1

21.01.05    vs. Fiji (N)        lost 0-1

23.01.05    vs. Samoa (N)        won 7-0

26.01.05    vs. Solomon Islands (A)    lost 1-2