Solomon Islands names squad for qualifier

The Solomon Islands Kurukuru coach Vinicius Leite has named a strong side mixing experience and youth for the upcoming OFC Futsal Nations Cup and their international friendly matches against Australia’s Futsalroos.

The squad are set to take on Australia’s Futsalroos in two friendly matches as they gear up to defend their title at the OFC Futsal Nations Cup in New Caledonia at the end of the month.

The Solomon Islands have five regional titles to their name and have spared little in their preparations to claim a sixth, and with it the coveted tickets to the FIFA Futsal World Cup.

The team have been working with strength and conditioning trainer Alexander Argolo over the past seven months with the Australia-based Brazilian keen to instil both mental and physical strength in the squad.

“We have a big plan for the Kurukurus, we have been working with different types of exercise for the last seven months and every time we have a new conception,” he explained.

“For example, the first one is just movement, we improved the movement, we worked with injuries, and we worked with prevention. The second one is more about strength. The third one is how to move fast in all directions and this last programme is a combination of strength, thinking and also changing direction and speed.”

Triple-international Anthony Talo has swapped the sand for the court, putting his gloves back on to fill the role of goalkeeper for the FIFA Futsal World Cup qualifier. Talismanic captain Elliot Ragomo is back in the squad alongside Australia-based James Egeta and fellow veterans Jeffery Bule, George Stevenson and Sammy Osifelo.

They’re joined by some of the newer names such as Elis Mana and Marlon Sia, with Leite confident each player selected will have a crucial role in the team achieving its objectives in New Caledonia.

Kurukuru squad:

1. Anthony TALO (GK)
2. Alvin HOU
3. Elliot RAGOMO
4. George STEVENSON
5. Marlon SIA
6. Charlie OTAINAO
7. James EGETA
8. Jeffery BULE
9. Arnold MAELUMA
10. Sammy OSIFELO
11. Colman MAKAU
12. Charlie ATA (GK)
13. Elis MANA
14. Alvin RAY