SI Bilikiki boys to leave for Brazil's FIFA beach soccer world cup this thursday

The Solomon Islands Bilikiki beach soccer team will leave for the FIFA Beach soccer world cup in Brazil this thursday (19/10/06).

It is understood that the Bilikiki team will be the most inexperienced of all the nations that will be participating in this year's beach soccer world cup. This was further soured when a proposed overseas tour was cancelled by the Oceania Football Federation early this month. However, this did not dampen the spirit of our local boys as they will be carrying the pride and hopes of not only Solomon Islands, but also the rest of the Oceania Football Federation member nations.

Reports from SIFF reavealed that the team will be based in Victoria where they will use as their base before the tournament. According to their programme, they will also have the opportunity to train and play friendly matches while being put up there. The Brazilian beach soccer squad will also be using Victoria as its base before the tournament commences.

Meanwhile, the Bilikiki Beach soccer boys have engaged in a second friendly match with a community team from Honiara over the weekend at AE beachfront property at Ranadi. Results of that match is still not known. However, the Bilikiki team thrashed the same team Thursday last week 14-4 in the first friendly match.

Assistant team coach Vivian Wickham says the friendly matches have provided his boys the opportunity to play as team against an opponent.

Bilikiki's qualification has not been budgeted for and SIFF to date meet all the camp-related cost of the team. However, the federation would like to appeal to all stake-holders and partners of football to come forward to assist the team.

Source: SIFF