THE national Under-19 football team training squad is yet to be officially named by the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) after a list was leaked online over the weekend.
An unofficial list of 41 players was published online via ‘Solomon Islands Soccer’ page last Saturday.
Speaking to Star Sports on Tuesday, SIFF president, William Lai said they will officially make a media release on Wednesday.
“We will make a media release tomorrow (Wednesday) on the U-19 training squad.
“It is still in consultation within. Someone gave the list to a Honiara team official for training purpose which ended up on social media.
“The list is only for HFA to reach their players to keep training.
“It includes a list from Batram Suri, the technical team and I think most names will be the same,” the SIFF president said.
Proposed U-19 head coach, Batram Suri also confirmed to Star Sports that the list is yet to be finalised.
“The list is still yet to be finalised. I don’t know how, why that person release it without consulting us.
“The list should be 44 players who make up the training squad,” the former Solomon Islands international said.”
The Solomon Islands national U-19 will be competing in the OFC Championship for a place in the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
“We’re drawn in a tough group which includes all Melanesian rivals Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia.”
The U-19 Championship will be held in Tahiti from 5-18 August where two places are up for grab to qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Grab a copy of our Thursday’s publication to see the official national U-19 training squad line-up.
By SIMON ABANA
