Solomon Islands Futsal League Champions Kooline FC are determined to follow up the Kurukuru’s OFC Futsal Nations Cup triumph with another victorious campaign at next month’s inaugural OFC Futsal Champions League in Auckland.
The men in sky blue, who have earned the right to represent their country in the regional tournament by winning the Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) 2019 Futsal League with a superior goal difference to runners-up Marist FC, will face the champions of Tahiti, Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and New Zealand between 5 and 8 December.
Following their successful OFC Futsal Nations Cup tournament, Anthony Talo, Coleman Makau, Elis Mana, Arnold Maeluma and Alvin Hou will be all hoping to maintain their winning form at club level and Kooline head coach Stanley Puirana is banking on the experience of his Kurukuru stars to lead the team.
“I have five national players in my squad, two of them already have competed at the FIFA Futsal World Cup, and with their experience, it’s an extra bonus for the team,” he told Sun Sport.
Although Puirana admits his players still face a lot of hard work before the start tournament, the former Kurukuru player and national U17 Futsal coach remains optimistic about his side’s prospects.
“We were only together for the past two weeks since the return of the players following their qualification campaign, we still have time to prepare and work with our combination,” he said.
“Kurukuru has shown the way forward in the game. They have done their part representing the country, and as for us we also want to achieve our goal, not just to participate but to compete,” added the Kooline coach.
Kooline and Tahiti champions AS Pirae will kick off the the OFC Futsal Champions League 2019 tournament which will be played in a single round-robin format with the top two teams advancing to the title decider.
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