The Solomon Islands National team incoming Head Coach, Josh Smith sets an ambitious path ahead stepping into the role with keen eye on the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
In a press conference on Sunday in Suva, Fiji the Australian said emphasized on a strategic focus on the team’s competitive edge – with the FIFA International Friendlies against Fiji and Hong Kong this week serves as debut tests providing a platform for important takeaways going forward.
“I’m confident that this team can really produce what’s required to go to the next stage in the qualifiers.
“These matches are great opportunity to be better for ourselves in the next coming months as a team – a good opportunity for myself to see the other boys in the team are capable of and get to work straight away.”
He adds that understanding the nuances of the team’s capabilities and areas of improvement and adapting to the varying styles of play will be foremost during the two top match friendlies.
Smith will be working closely with the interim coach, Moses Toata supporting the team’s current technical form to deploy the most effective line-ups.
“This is a crucial opportunity for me to push the boys in the best possible direction.
Solomon Islands are the top seeds in Group A alongside Fiji, Papua New Guinea (PNG), and New Caledonia. As the second-highest-ranked team in Oceania, behind New Zealand, the Solomon Islands were seeded to lead Group A.
“The benefits we will get out of this friendly against Fiji will be far better than not playing it, and I want to thank Fiji FA for organizing these.
Solomon Islands will play Fiji this evening, Monday 2 September at the HFC Bank Stadium at 7:00 pm (SI Time 6pm), and a wrap up the Tri-Nations International Friendlies against Hong Kong-China on Thursday 5 September.
-SIFF Media
