NATIONAL football team Head Coach Felipe Vega Arango has urged players who missed out on the final squad for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ OFC preliminary competition to never give up hope and continue working hard.
This comes after three players were left out of the final group of players in the final selection last week.
The three players are Jaygray Sipakana, Emmanuel Poila and Alick Kitalo.
Felipe highlights there are opportunities ahead and missing out on the final squad should not be an excuse to sit back and relax.
“Regarding Emmanuel Poila and Alick Kitalo, they should be proud of how they work.
“Do not to give up and keep working hard towards the next TSL season because the inclusion of such players makes it a good football season,” he told Star Sports.
Felipe said Jaygray’s case is quite different because his vaccine status is the reason that keeps him from travelling with the rest of the team.
Sipakana will miss out on the opportunity to make his debut for the Solomon Islands national team because of a vaccination issue.
He got his first shot of the vaccine on 3rd January 2022 and will get his second jab after 8 weeks from his first to complete the vaccination process.
By that time the team should be well on their way for Qatar for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ OFC preliminary.
“Jaygray situation is different because he couldn’t practice much because of his vaccination status.
“I wish he took his first dose early because I wanted Jaygray in the team.
“I called him to practice because I believe in his game and potential, and for me it is sad and disappointing to not have him in the team.
“But all of them have to keep working hard, and probably will have another opportunity,” he added.
The national squad of 25 players is currently in camp and is expected to start their journey to Qatar at the end of the month.
By CARLOS ARUAFU
Newsroom, Honiara
