Solomon Islands qualifies for FIFA U17 World Cup

The jubilant U16 national soccer team from Solomon Islands after a close encounter with New Zealand in the final of the U16 Oceania Football Confederation. Picture: SUPPLIED

By CHRIS HA’ARABE

The Solomon Islands U16 national soccer team has secured a place in the FIFA U17 World Cup next year in Peru, western South America.

This was after they reached the grand final of the U16 Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) tournament on September 22 but losing narrowly to New Zealand in the penalty shootout 5-4.

The Solomon Islands U16 head coach, Stanley Waita, said his side prepared well for the tournament, and proved themselves worthy to compete in the upcoming U17 World Cup campaign in Peru.

“Our focus now is to train and prepare ahead for the highest level of football competition our side has team has ever participated in,” Waita said.

He said the Solomon Islands U16 team created a new chapter in the history of football in the Solomon Islands.

“We hope this legacy will continue with our future footballers and they will become one of the most competitive teams in the world of football,” Waita said.

Solomon Islands player Raphael Lea’i won the golden boot and golden ball award for the OFC U16 tournament.

In a statement, Lea’i said he was pleased with their progress and looked forward to next year’s competition.

“It’s an honour to join the team and I am really thankful to my teammates. We wanted to reach the top and we did it,” he said.

Another Solomon Islands player, Charles Mani, said it was a privilege to play football for his country at the highest level.

He said this was the beginning of better things to come for football in Solomon Islands.

*Chris Ha’arabe (Solomon Islands) is a final-year journalism student at The University of the South Pacific in Suva.

The U16 football team from Solomon Islands have qualified for the FIFA U17 World Cup in Peru next year. Picture: SUPPLIED