OFC: Solomon Islands players will need the right mental attitude if they want to win the upcoming OFC Nations Cup in Papua New Guinea, according to the team’s new Technical Advisor Ramon Tribulietx.
The 43-year-old Spaniard has a proven recipe for success after guiding his Auckland City side to six OFC Champions League titles in a row.
Tribulietx, who joined the Solomon Islands squad’s training camp in Sydney last week, insists confidence is a key ingredient.
“The Solomon Islands have a lot of very talented players and we hope they can express themselves in Papua New Guinea.
“We have worked on everything, attacking and defending, the conditioning side of things, and on the mindset and mental strength of the players,” he says.
“We were looking to build some confidence and belief going into the tournament.”
Tribulietx says national team coach Moses Toata has built a system that will serve his players well.
“I am a very late addition to the party and I needed to learn quickly how they operate.
“I purely advised on the different aspects of the game based on the principles and structures that they have already set up.”
Tribulietx believes the Sydney camp has been a successful exercise and the team is well prepared for the tournament.
“We didn’t have much time but we had to make sure the team is organised for the tournament,” he says.
“I think the players have enjoyed their time together as well as the training and they are physically and mentally ready.”
The Solomon Islands departed for Port Moresby yesterday from Brisbane after missing their flight from Sydney on Tuesday.
They will open their 2016 OFC Nations Cup campaign against Vanuatu this Saturday.
The Official Team List
No Player Position
1 Phillip Mango – Goalkeeper
2 Haddis Aengari – Defender
3 Bata Furai – Defender
4 Fred Fakari – Defender
5 Freddie Kini – Defender
6 Allen Peter – Defender
7 Dennis Ifunaoa – Midfielder
8 Paul Wale – Midfielder
9 Benjamin Totori – Forward
10 Judd Molea – Midfielder
11 Micah Lea’alafa – Forward
12 Samson Koti – Goalkeeper
13 James Naka – Forward
14 Moffat Kilifa – Midfielder
15 Jerry Donga – Forward
16 Gagame Feni – Forward
17 Nelson Sale – Defender
18 Henry Fa’arodo – Midfielder
19 Gibson Daudau – Midfielder
20 Charlie Otainao – Midfielder
22 Joses Nawo – Midfielder
23 James Do’oro – Goalkeeper
Moses Toata – Coach
Solomon Islands Team Details
Experience is where recent OFC B Licence accredited coach Moses Toata has put his faith coming into this competition. Talismanic attacking duo Benjamin Totori and Henry Fa’arodo, both well known across the Pacific football community, will lead the front line. At the back Solomon’s have safety in Nelson Sale, Bata Furi and Haddis Aengari, all three of whom are seasoned campaigners. Plenty of attention will be turned towards Auckland City FC striker Micah Lea’alafa who a lot of fans will be waiting to see. The dual international helped the Solomon Islands qualify for the FIFA Futsal World Cup earlier this year and will be doing his best to see the Bonitos through to their first regional title if he can. Aiding in that pursuit will be the expert technical eye of Lea’alafa’s Auckland City coach Ramon Tribulietx who has come on board as a technical advisor in the weeks leading up to kick off.
