The Solomon Islands National U19 men’s soccer team cannot afford to lose or even draw any of its three remaining match.
According to the updated statistics of the competition, a defeat or draw will give a much less chance of contesting for the top finish.
Their next game will be against New Caledonia today.
New Caledonia is one of the strong contenders of the competition but the Mamulas must get a win out of this game if they are to keep their hopes of making it through.
But head coach, Commins Menapi has assured all supporters, fans and the public that the Mamula team will produce impressive outcomes in their remaining matches.
This followed their defeat and a draw to PNG and Vanuatu respectively over the weekend, which has brought about many criticisms back at home.
Both results do not give hundred percent assurances that the Mamulas will certainly finish top of the competition’s table.
Menapi added they hope to win the remaining three games so that they can be able to get back on track however it will depend very much on the outcome of the other matches.
“We must win our remaining matches and hope that the other teams will draw or beat each other so that we have a chance to make it through,” Menapi said.
Menapi admitted that finishing part is what the team still lacks and are hoping to address that as quickly as possible before their next match.
“Our boys have played a very good game but the finishing touches are what the boys need more improvement on.
“It is something that we will have to work on towards our remaining games,” he told student journalist, Ronald Toitoona after the match against Vanuatu.
Meanwhile Fiji is leading the table with six points, second PNG with four points, Vanuatu third also with four points, Solomon Islands fourth with one point, American Samoa fifth with one point and New Caledonia sixth with zero points.
By CARLOS ARUAFU
