Solomon Islands national football team
The Solomon Islands men's national football team is the national football team of Solomon Islands, administered by the Solomon Islands Football Federation. The Solomon Islands national football team was founded in 1978. They were officially recognised by FIFA a decade later, in 1988.[3]
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Nickname(s) | Bonitos | ||
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Association | Solomon Islands Football Federation | ||
Confederation | OFC (Oceania) | ||
Head coach | Jacob Moli (interim) | ||
Captain | Joses Nawo | ||
Most caps | Henry Fa'arodo (64) | ||
Top scorer | Commins Menapi (34) | ||
Home stadium | National Stadium, Lawson Tama Stadium | ||
FIFA code | SOL | ||
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FIFA ranking | |||
Current | 141 ![]() | ||
Highest | 120 (October 2007, April 2008) | ||
Lowest | 200 (January–March 2016) | ||
First international | |||
![]() ![]() (Suva, Fiji; 30 August 1963) | |||
Biggest win | |||
![]() ![]() (Papeete, Tahiti; 21 August 1995) | |||
Biggest defeat | |||
![]() ![]() (Suva, Fiji; 8 December 1963) | |||
OFC Nations Cup | |||
Appearances | 8 (first in 1980) | ||
Best result | Runners-up, 2004 |
History
editDuring the 2004 Oceania World Cup qualification/Oceania Cup the team drew 2–2 with Australia and qualified for the second leg. In the second leg, the Solomon Islands national men's team were thrashed by Australia 5–1 and 6–0 in the two matches, with Australia qualifying for the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup.
The Solomons got a second chance against the Socceroos in a two-legged series in September 2005, this time with the winner advancing to a two-legged series against CONMEBOL's fifth-place finisher for a berth in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and the team was thrashed by Australia 7–0 on the first leg and 2–1 in the second played at home.
The Solomons were knocked out of the 2010 FIFA World Cup – having got off to a good start winning every game in their qualifying group and comfortably progressing to the knockout rounds, defeats to New Caledonia and then to Vanuatu saw them knocked out of the competition.
In 2012, the Solomon Islands held the 2012 OFC Nations Cup which was also the second round of World Cup qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup where they finished in fourth place after qualifying through to the knockout stage by defeating Papua New Guinea and having draws against Fiji and New Zealand. They lost in the semi-final after they lost to the champions Tahiti after Jonathan Tehau scored the only goal. They later lost to New Zealand in the third-place playoff. The third round of World Cup qualifying saw the team finish bottom of the group after only taking one win against Tahiti.
After first taking charge of the team in 2017, Spaniard Felipe Vega-Arango was appointed for his second stint in June 2021.[4]
In 2019, they went on a three-week training tour in Netherlands.[5]
In June 2023, Solomon Islands played their friendly match against Southeast Asia countries, Singapore and Malaysia. Solomon Island won the 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup after winning against Papua New Guinea (3–1), Vanuatu (1–0) and New Caledonia (1–0) as Raphael Lea'i clinch the golden boots as the tournament top scorer with four goals.
Team image
editKit sponsorship
editKit lier | Period |
---|---|
Lotto | 2004–2012 |
Pasifika | 2013–2016 |
Veto | 2016–2021 |
UCAN | 2022– |
Sponsors
editResults and fixtures
editThe following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
Win Draw Loss Fixture
2023
edit8 October 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup | Papua New Guinea | 1–3 | Solomon Islands | Nouméa, New Caledonia |
14:00 UTC+11:00 | Gunemba 51' | Report | Lea'i 80', 86', 90+3' | Stadium: Stade Numa-Daly Magenta Referee: Norbert Hauata (Tahiti) |
11 October 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup | Solomon Islands | 1–0 | Vanuatu | Koné, New Caledonia |
13:00 UTC+11:00 | Leslie 45' | Report | Stadium: Stade Yoshida |
14 October 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup | Solomon Islands | 1–0 | New Caledonia | Nouméa, New Caledonia |
17:00 UTC+11:00 | Stadium: Stade Numa-Daly Magenta |
17 November 2023 Pacific Games | Solomon Islands | 1–0 | Samoa | Honiara, Solomon Islands |
15:00 UTC+11 | Orobulu 49' | Report | Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium Referee: Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh (New Zealand) |
23 November 2023 Pacific Games | American Samoa | 0–11 | Solomon Islands | Lawson Tama Stadium, Honiara |
15:00 | Report | Referee: Calvin Berg (New Zealand) |
28 November 2023 Pacific Games SF | Fiji | 0–2 | Solomon Islands | Honiara, Solomon Islands |
15:00 | Report | Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium Referee: Norbert Hauata (Tahiti) |
2 December 2023 Pacific Games Final | New Caledonia | 2–2 (a.e.t.) (7–6 p) | Solomon Islands | Honiara, Solomon Islands |
10:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium Referee: Norbert Hauata (Tahiti) | |
Penalties | ||||
2024
edit18 March Friendly | Solomon Islands | 2–1 | Fiji | Honiara, Solomon Islands |
15:00 UTC+11 | Report |
|
Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium |
21 March Friendly | Solomon Islands | 0–2 | Fiji | Honiara, Solomon Islands |
Raheem 45' Krishna 64' |
Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium |
15 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup | Solomon Islands | 0–1 | Vanuatu | Port Vila, Vanuatu |
15:00 UTC+11 | Report |
|
Stadium: Freshwater Stadium Attendance: 5,000 Referee: Veer Singh (Fiji) |
18 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup | New Zealand | 3–0 | Solomon Islands | Port Vila, Vanuatu |
12:00 UTC+11 |
|
Report | Stadium: Freshwater Stadium Attendance: 3,000 Referee: David Yareboinen (Papua New Guinea) |
21 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup | New Caledonia | Cancelled | Solomon Islands | Port Vila, Vanuatu |
12:00 UTC+11 | Stadium: Freshwater Stadium | |||
Note: On 5 June 2024, New Caledonia withdrew from the 2024 OFC Nations Cup due to the serious crisis in the country.[6] |
2 September Friendly | Fiji | 1–0 | Solomon Islands | Suva, Fiji |
19:00 UTC+12 |
|
Stadium: HFC Bank Stadium |
Coaching staff
editPosition | |
---|---|
Head coach | Jacob Moli[7] |
Assistant coach | Stanley Waita[7] |
Goalkeeper coach | Tibon Oge |
Kit Manager | Augustine Hou |
Team Manager | Dixion Lauia Anga |
Coaching history
edit- Caretaker managers are listed in italics.
- Edward Ngara (1995–1996)
- Wilson Maelaua (1996)
- George Cowie (2000–2003)
- Alan Gillett (2004–2005)
- Airton Andrioli (2006–2009)
- Jacob Moli (2010–2014)[8]
- Moses Toata (2015–2016)[9]
- Felipe Vega-Arango (2017–2018)
- Moses Toata (2018–2019)
- Wim Rijsbergen (2019)
- Stanley Waita (2020–2021)
- Felipe Vega-Arango (2021–2024)
- Eddie Marahare (2024)[7]
- Jacob Moli (2024–)[7]
Players
editCurrent squad
editThe following 23 players were called up for the 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup.[10]
Caps and goals correct as of 18 June 2024, after the match against New Zealand
Recent call-ups
editThe following players have also been called up within the last twelve months.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Junior Petua | December 30, 2003 | 0 | 0 | Honiara City | v. Fiji, 20 March 2024 |
GK | Timothy Mae'arasia | June 19, 1995 | 2 | 0 | Solomon Warriors | 2023 Pacific Games |
DF | Alick Stanton | May 25, 1998 | 8 | 0 | Central Coast | v. Fiji, 20 March 2024 |
DF | Hadisi Aengari | October 23, 1988 | 44 | 0 | Solomon Warriors | v. Fiji, 20 March 2024 |
DF | Loea Taisara | June 2, 1989 | 3 | 0 | Solomon Warriors | 2023 Pacific Games |
MF | William Komasi | June 10, 2000 | 19 | 1 | Nadroga | v. Fiji, 20 March 2024 |
MF | Molis Gagame | September 21, 1989 | 14 | 0 | Kossa | v. Fiji, 20 March 2024 |
MF | Don Keana | September 9, 2000 | 4 | 0 | Waneagu United | v. Fiji, 20 March 2024 |
FW | Micah Lea'alafa | June 1, 1991 | 26 | 8 | FK Beograd | 2023 Pacific Games |
FW | Norman Ngafu | July 16, 1997 | 1 | 0 | Marist | 2023 Pacific GamesPRE |
Player records
edit- As of 18 June 2024[11]
- Players in bold are still active with Solomon Islands.
Most appearances
editRank | Name | Caps | Goals | Career |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Henry Fa'arodo | 64 | 20 | 2002–2017 |
2 | Joses Nawo | 54 | 8 | 2011–present |
3 | Benjamin Totori | 52 | 29 | 2007–2019 |
4 | Hadisi Aengari | 44 | 0 | 2011–present |
5 | Philip Mango | 41 | 0 | 2016–present |
6 | Atkin Kaua | 38 | 5 | 2016–present |
7 | Nelson Sale Kilifa | 37 | 0 | 2004–2017 |
8 | Commins Menapi | 36 | 34 | 2000–2007 |
Batram Suri | 36 | 14 | 1995–2005 | |
10 | Gagame Feni | 35 | 19 | 2012–present |
Top goalscorers
editRank | Name | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Commins Menapi | 34 | 36 | 0.94 | 2000–2007 |
2 | Benjamin Totori | 29 | 52 | 0.56 | 2007–2019 |
3 | Henry Fa'arodo | 20 | 64 | 0.31 | 2002–2017 |
4 | Gagame Feni | 19 | 35 | 0.54 | 2012–present |
5 | Batram Suri | 14 | 36 | 0.39 | 1995–2005 |
6 | Raphael Lea'i | 12 | 20 | 0.6 | 2022–present |
7 | Noel Berry | 10 | 15 | 0.67 | 1995–2000 |
8 | John Orobulu | 8 | 11 | 0.73 | 2018–present |
Micah Lea'alafa | 8 | 26 | 0.31 | 2016–present | |
Joses Nawo | 8 | 54 | 0.15 | 2011–present |
Competitive record
editFIFA World Cup
editFIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup qualification | ||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Host | Round | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | Pos | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | ||
1930 to 1986 | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | |||||||||||||||
1990 | Italy | Did not enter | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||
1994 | United States | Did not qualify | Group Stage | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 13 | ||||||||
1998 | France | Group Stage | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 22 | 23 | |||||||||
2002 | South Korea Japan |
Group Stage | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 17 | 10 | |||||||||
2006 | Germany | 2nd | 11 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 24 | 16 | |||||||||
2010 | South Africa | Knockout Stage | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 23 | 6 | |||||||||
2014 | Brazil | 4th | 9 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 22 | |||||||||
2018 | Russia | 2nd | 9 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 10 | 16 | |||||||||
2022 | Qatar | 2nd | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 8 | |||||||||
2026 | Canada Mexico United States |
To be determined | To be determined | ||||||||||||||
2030 | Morocco Portugal Spain | ||||||||||||||||
2034 | Saudi Arabia | ||||||||||||||||
Total | — | – | – | – | – | – | – | 0/9 | 57 | 23 | 9 | 25 | 118 | 121 |
OFC Nations Cup
editOceania Cup / OFC Nations Cup record | Qualification record | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
1973 | Did not enter | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||
1980 | Group stage | 8th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 21 | — | No qualification | ||||||
1996 | Semi-finals | 3rd | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | Squad | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 | |
1998 | Did not qualify | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 7 | |||||||||
2000 | Third place | 3rd | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 10 | Squad | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 9 | |
2002 | Group stage | 6th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 9 | Squad | Qualified automatically | ||||||
2004 | Runners-up | 2nd | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 10 | 17 | Squad | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 1 | |
2008 | Did not qualify | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 23 | 6 | |||||||||
2012 | Fourth place | 4th | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 6 | Squad | Qualified automatically | ||||||
2016 | Semi-finals | 3rd | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 4 | Squad | |||||||
2024 | Group stage | 6th | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | Squad | |||||||
Total | Runners-up | 8/11 | 30 | 7 | 4 | 19 | 31 | 74 | — | 22 | 15 | 3 | 4 | 65 | 24 |
Pacific Games
editPacific Games record | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
1963 | Fourth place | 4th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 26 |
1966 | Group stage | 6th | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 12 |
1969 | Sixth place | 6th | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 19 |
1971 | did not enter | |||||||
1975 | Third place | 3rd | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 8 |
1979 | Third place | 3rd | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 24 | 5 |
1983 | Group stage | 10th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 11 |
1987 | did not enter | |||||||
1991 | Runners-up | 2nd | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 3 |
1995 | Runners-up | 2nd | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 34 | 10 |
2003 | Group stage | 5th | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 4 |
2007 | Fourth place | 4th | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 23 | 6 |
2011 | Runners-up | 2nd | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 21 | 6 |
2015 | See Solomon Islands national under-23 football team | |||||||
2019 | Group stage | 7th | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 30 | 9 |
Total | Runners-up | 12/15 | 55 | 29 | 6 | 20 | 185 | 119 |
Wantok Cup
edit- 2008 (July, 1st edition) – First place
Head-to-head record
edit- As of 5 September 2024
Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | WPCT |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
American Samoa | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 1 | +39 | 100.00 |
Australia | 10 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 8 | 55 | −47 | 0.00 |
Chinese Taipei | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 100.00 |
Cook Islands | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 2 | +35 | 100.00 |
Fiji | 42 | 8 | 16 | 18 | 46 | 75 | −29 | 19.05 |
Guam | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 2 | +22 | 100.00 |
Hong Kong | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | −3 | 0.00 |
Kiribati | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | +7 | 100.00 |
Macau | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 100.00 |
Malaysia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | −3 | 0.00 |
New Caledonia | 28 | 11 | 3 | 14 | 33 | 55 | −22 | 39.29 |
New Zealand | 14 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 11 | 52 | −41 | 0.00 |
Papua New Guinea | 23 | 14 | 4 | 5 | 40 | 29 | +11 | 60.87 |
Samoa[a] | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 0 | +21 | 100.00 |
Singapore | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | −1 | 0.00 |
Tahiti | 24 | 5 | 3 | 16 | 26 | 76 | −50 | 20.83 |
Tonga | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 0 | +31 | 100.00 |
Tuvalu | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 1 | +28 | 100.00 |
Vanuatu[b] | 35 | 22 | 7 | 6 | 77 | 37 | +40 | 62.86 |
Wallis and Futuna | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 1 | +22 | 100.00 |
Total | 211 | 91 | 37 | 83 | 463 | 399 | +64 | 43.13 |
Honours
edit- OFC Nations Cup
- South Pacific Games
- Wantok Cup
- Winners (1): 2008
Historical kits
editThis section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (August 2024) |
References
edit- ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 18 July 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
- ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 11 September 2024. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
- ^ "Member Association – Solomon Islands". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on 23 June 2007. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
- ^ "Solomon Islands appoint new coach". 23 June 2021. Archived from the original on 23 June 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
- ^ "Historic training camp in Netherlands wrap-up". siff.com.sb. 5 June 2019. Archived from the original on 2 July 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
- ^ "La Fédération se résout à la "NON-PARTICIPATION" des cagous". New Caledonian Football Federation. 5 June 2024.
- ^ a b c d "MOLI APPOINTED FOR NATIONS CUP 2024". SIFF. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ "FIFA.com". 23 June 2007. Archived from the original on 23 June 2007.
- ^ "Solomons search for new coach". Oceania Football Confederation. 29 July 2016. Archived from the original on 29 July 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
- ^ "Final 23-man squad named for OFC Nations Cup 2024". Facebook. Solomon Islands Football Federation. 29 May 2024.
- ^ "Solomon Islands". National Football Teams. Archived from the original on 2 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
Further reading
edit- Sarkar, Uttiyo (4 June 2023). "Hero Intercontinental Cup Rival Watch: Vanuatu". khelnow.com. Khel Now India. Archived from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.