HONIARA: The Solomon Islands is deep into its preparations for the upcoming OFC Nations Cup/World Cup Qualifiers which it is hosting from 10-19 May 2004. A 27-strong national training squad was named on 19 February after two weeks of fierce trials were held and a foreign coach is also set to be announced to lead the Solomons.
The Solomon Islands Football Federation has made it clear it will do its best to ensure the best preparation for its team in a tough group which also includes Tahiti and New Caledonia, the french speaking giants of Oceania.
After a string of below par performances at the South Pacific Games and the Olympic qualifiers, local Solomons soccer fans will be demanding a top performance from their senior team playing at home in an OFC tournament for the first time in over a decade.
For Solomon Islands football it will be a much anticipated event and with stars such as Henry Fa’arodo, Batram Suri, Commins Menapi, Dick Ngota and Alick Maemae at their disposal, there will be no shortage of motivation for the Solomon Islanders to rise to the occasion in front of their home fans.