Solomon Islands national football team

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For current information on this topic, see
Solomon Islands fixtures and results
Solomon Islands
Shirt badge/Association crest
Association Solomon Islands
Football Federation
Confederation OFC (Oceania)
Head coach Terry Van Dillen
Most caps Batram Suri
Top scorer Commins Menapi (27)
Home stadium Lawson Tama Stadium
FIFA code SOL
FIFA ranking 127
Highest FIFA ranking 127 (October 2007, April 2008)
Lowest FIFA ranking 177 (August 1996)
Elo ranking 116
Team colours Team colours Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
 
First kit
Team colours Team colours Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
 
Second kit
First international
Flag of the United Kingdom Solomon Islands 6 - 3 New Hebrides
(Fiji; December, 1963)
Biggest win
Flag of the Solomon Islands Solomon Islands 17 - 0 Wallis & Futuna Flag of Wallis and Futuna
(Papua New Guinea; September, 1991)
Biggest defeat
Flag of France Tahiti 18 - 0 Solomon Islands Flag of the United Kingdom
(Fiji; December 17, 1963)
OFC Nations Cup
Appearances 5 (First in 1980)
Best result Second place, 2004

The Solomon Islands national football team is the national team of the Solomon Islands and is controlled by Solomon Islands Football Federation. The team shocked the (Oceanian) football world in the 2004 Oceania Nations Cup (which doubles as World Cup Qualifying), tying Australia 2-2 to nip heavily-favored New Zealand for second place and a spot in a championship playoff against Australia. Although they lost to the Socceroos 5-1 and 6-0, finishing second in the confederation is a remarkable achievement for the island nation.

The Solomons would get a second chance against the Socceroos in a two-legged series in September 2005, this time with the winner advancing to a two-legged series against CONMEBOL's fifth-place finisher for a berth in the 2006 World Cup, and lost 7-0 on the first leg and 2-1 in the 2nd played at home.

The Solomons were extremely disappointed to be knocked out of the 2010 FIFA World Cup particularly as they were seen as the favourites to challenge New Zealand for the Oceanian qualifying slot. They got off to a good start winning every game in their qualifying group and comfortably progressing to the knockout rounds, but defeats to New Caledonia and then to Vanuatu saw them knocked out of the competition. However despite this disappointment young talents such Victor Fenehia, Tony Otini and Lenson Bisili suggest that the Solomon Islands have a bright footballing future ahead of them.


Contents

[edit] World Cup record

[edit] Oceania Nations Cup record

[edit] South Pacific Games record

[edit] Notable players

[edit] Current squad

The following players have been named for the South Pacific Games in Samoa, August 2007. Players are sorted by shirt number.

No. Pos. Player DoB (Age) Caps Goals Club
1 GK Fred Hale 17 July 1979 13 0 Flag of the Solomon Islands Marist F.C.
2 DF David Taro 6 0 Flag of the Solomon Islands Rangers Honiara
3 DF Mahlon Houkarawa 23 April 1976 21 1 Flag of the Solomon Islands Koloale FC Honiara
4 DF Samson Takayama 19 February 1979 6 1 Flag of the Solomon Islands Kossa FC
5 DF George Suri 16 July 1982 19 1 Flag of New Zealand Auckland City FC
6 DF Tome Faisi 1 0 Flag of the Solomon Islands Kossa FC
7 MF Alick Maemae 10 December 1985 19 6 Flag of the Solomon Islands Makuru FC
8 DF Jacob Pekau 0 0 Flag of Papua New Guinea PRK Hekari United
9 FW Godwin Bebeu 6 2 Flag of the Solomon Islands Rangers Honiara
10 MF Judd Molea 7 1 Flag of the Solomon Islands Uncles
11 FW Commins Menapi 18 September 1977 37 34 Flag of New Zealand Waitakere United
12 MF James Naka 9 October 1984 3 0 Flag of the Solomon Islands Kossa FC
13 MF George Lui 21 December 1981 12 0 Flag of the Solomon Islands Makuru FC
14 FW Benjamin Totori 20 February 1986 5 4 Flag of the United States Portland Timbers
15 MF Mostyn Beui 2 0 Flag of the Solomon Islands Koloale FC Honiara
16 MF Stanley Waita 10 October 1979 31 5 Flag of New Zealand Waikato FC
17 DF Gideon Omokirio 12 October 1976 35 4 Flag of the Solomon Islands Kossa FC
18 MF Henry Fa'arodo 5 October 1982 25 10 Flag of Australia Altona Magic
19 MF George Aba 4 March 1984 4 0 Flag of the Solomon Islands Makuru FC
20 GK John Morgan 0 0 Flag of the Solomon Islands Kossa FC
21 DF Arnold Keni 0 0 Flag of the Solomon Islands Marist F.C.