Wikipedia

Solomon Islands national football team

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Solomon Islands women's 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]

Solomon Islands
Nickname(s)Bonitos
AssociationSolomon Islands Football Federation
ConfederationOFC (Oceania)
Head coachFelipe Vega-Arango
CaptainJoses Nawo
Most capsHenry Fa'arodo (64)
Top scorerCommins Menapi (34)
Home stadiumNational Stadium,
Lawson Tama Stadium
FIFA codeSOL
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 132 Decrease 1 (4 April 2024)[1]
Highest120 (October 2007, April 2008)
Lowest200 (January–March 2016)
First international
 Solomon Islands 6–3 New Hebrides 
(Suva, Fiji; 30 August 1963)
Biggest win
 Solomon Islands 16–0 Cook Islands 
(Papeete, Tahiti; 21 August 1995)
Biggest defeat
 Tahiti 18–0 Solomon Islands 
(Suva, Fiji; 8 December 1963)
OFC Nations Cup
Appearances7 (first in 1980)
Best resultRunners-up, 2004

History edit

During 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 edit

Kit sponsorship edit

Kit lier Period
  Lotto 2004–2012
  Pasifika 2013–2016
  Veto 2016–2021
  UCAN 2022–

Sponsors edit

Results and fixtures edit

Main articles: Solomon Islands national football team results (1963–1999) and Solomon Islands national football team results (2000–present)

The 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 edit

23 March Friendly Solomon Islands   2–0   Vanuatu Lautoka, Fiji
  • Feni   68'
  • Komasi   81'
 Report Stadium: Churchill Park
26 March Friendly Fiji   0–2   Solomon Islands Lautoka, Fiji
Report
Stadium: Churchill Park
14 June Friendly Malaysia   4–1   Solomon Islands Terengganu, Malaysia
21:00 UTC+8
Stadium: Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium
18 June Friendly Singapore   1–1   Solomon Islands Kallang, Singapore
Shawal Anuar  31'
Joses Nawo  84'
Stadium: National Stadium
Referee: Somsing Torphong (Thailand)
8 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 (2023-11-23) 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 edit

18 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   v   Vanuatu Port Vila, Vanuatu
Stadium: Freshwater Stadium
18 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup New Zealand   v   Solomon Islands Port Vila, Vanuatu
Stadium: Freshwater Stadium
21 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup New Caledonia   v   Solomon Islands Port Vila, Vanuatu
Stadium: Freshwater Stadium

Coaching staff edit

Position
Head coach   Felipe Vega-Arango
Assistant coach   Eddie Marahare
Goalkeeper coach   Zantas Kabini
Kit Manager   Augustine Hou
Team Manager   Patrick Miniti

Coaching history edit

Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

Players edit

Current squad edit

The following players were called up for the 2023 Pacific Games.[8]

Caps and goals correct as of 14 October 2023, after the match against   New Caledonia

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Philip Mango (1995-08-28) August 28, 1995 (age 28) 33 0   Central Coast
1GK Michael Laulae (2002-05-20) May 20, 2002 (age 21) 1 0   Henderson Eels
1GK Timothy Mae'arasia (1995-06-19) June 19, 1995 (age 28) 1 0   Solomon Warriors
2DF Leon Kofana (2002-06-22) June 22, 2002 (age 21) 11 0   Henderson Eels
2DF Allen Peter (1995-09-11) September 11, 1995 (age 28) 11 0   Solomon Warriors
2DF Javin Wae (2002-11-17) November 17, 2002 (age 21) 10 0   Central Coast
2DF Calvin Ohasio (2000-04-05) April 5, 2000 (age 24) 3 0   Marist
2DF Alick Stanton (1998-05-25) May 25, 1998 (age 25) 3 0   Central Coast
2DF David Supa (2000-12-21) December 21, 2000 (age 23) 4 0   Central Coast
2DF Aengari Gagame (2000-04-15) April 15, 2000 (age 24) 3 0   Solomon Warriors
2DF Leoa Mani (1989-06-02) June 2, 1989 (age 34) 0 0   Solomon Warriors
3MF Joses Nawo (1988-05-03) May 3, 1988 (age 35) 41 8   Kossa
3MF Atkin Kaua (1996-04-04) April 4, 1996 (age 28) 27 5   Laugu United
3MF Alvin Hou (1996-09-18) September 18, 1996 (age 27) 13 6   Solomon Warriors
3MF William Komasi (2000-06-10) June 10, 2000 (age 23) 10 1   Central Coast
3MF Molis Gagame (1989-09-21) September 21, 1989 (age 34) 7 0   Kossa
3MF Tigi Molea (1992-09-24) September 24, 1992 (age 31) 3 0   Solomon Warriors
4FW Gagame Feni (1992-08-21) August 21, 1992 (age 31) 29 16   Kossa
4FW Micah Lea'alafa (1991-06-01) 1 June 1991 (age 32) 15 7   FK Beograd
4FW Raphael Lea'i (2003-09-09) September 9, 2003 (age 20) 12 10   Velež Mostar
4FW Bobby Leslie (2000-03-03) March 3, 2000 (age 24) 3 1   Waneagu United
4FW John Orobulu (2000-08-29) August 29, 2000 (age 23) 1 0   Southern United

Recent call-ups edit

The 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 (2003-12-30) 30 December 2003 (age 20) 0 0   Honiara City FC 2023 Pacific GamesPRE
GK James Do'oro (1995-06-19) 19 June 1995 (age 28) 0 0   Sosa FC v.   Singapore, 18 June 2023
DF Iani Lagwai Kalu (1999-07-16) 16 July 1999 (age 24) 10 0   Napier City Rovers v.   Singapore, 18 June 2023
DF Junior Aengari (2000-04-15) 15 April 2000 (age 24) 2 0   Solomon Warriors v.   Singapore, 18 June 2023
DF Junior David (2001-09-22) 22 September 2001 (age 22) 3 0   Central Coast v.   Singapore, 18 June 2023
MF Don Keana (2000-09-09) 9 September 2000 (age 23) 4 0   Waneagu United 2023 Pacific GamesPRE
MF Patrick Taroga (2000-05-25) 25 May 2000 (age 23) 2 1   Henderson Eels v.   Singapore, 18 June 2023
MF Ben Fox (2001-07-06) 6 July 2001 (age 22) 0 0   Marist F.C. v.   Singapore, 18 June 2023
FW Junior Fordney (1999-11-26) November 26, 1999 (age 24) 1 0   Central Coast 2023 Pacific GamesPRE
FW Norman Ngafu (1997-07-16) July 16, 1997 (age 26) 1 0   Marist 2023 Pacific GamesPRE
FW Mohammad Mekawir (2000-07-27) 27 July 2000 (age 23) 4 0   Waneagu United v.   Singapore, 18 June 2023

Player records edit

As of 28 November 2023[9]
Players in bold are still active with Solomon Islands.

Most appearances edit

Rank Name Caps Goals Career
1 Henry Fa'arodo 64 20 2002–2017
2 Benjamin Totori 52 29 2007–2019
3 Joses Nawo 50 7 2011–present
4 Hadisi Aengari 43 0 2011–present
5 Nelson Sale Kilifa 37 0 2004–2017
Philip Mango 37 0 2016–present
7 Commins Menapi 36 34 2000–2007
Batram Suri 36 14 1995–2005
9 Atkin Kaua 34 5 2016–present
10 Gagame Feni 33 19 2012–present

Top goalscorers edit

Rank 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 33 0.58 2012–present
5 Batram Suri 14 36 0.39 1995–2005
6 Raphael Lea'i 12 15 0.8 2022–present
7 Noel Berry 10 14 0.71 1995–2000
8 Micah Lea'alafa 8 25 0.32 2016–present
9 Joses Nawo 7 50 0.14 2011–present
10 John Orobulu 6 6 1 2018–present
Alwin Hou 6 14 0.43 2018–present
Robert Seni 6 14 0.43 1996–2003
Alick Maemae 6 19 0.32 2004–2007
Jack Samani 6 28 0.21 2000–2007

Competitive record edit

FIFA World Cup edit

FIFA 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 edit

Oceania 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 as host
  2016 Semi-finals 3rd 4 1 0 3 2 4 Squad Qualified automatically
  2024 Qualifield
Total Runners-up 7/10 28 7 4 17 31 70 — 22 15 3 4 65 24

Pacific Games edit

Pacific 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

Head-to-head record edit

As of 14 October 2023
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD WPCT
  American Samoa 3 3 0 0 29 1 +28 100.00
  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 38 6 16 16 42 71 −29 15.79
  Guam 3 3 0 0 24 2 +22 100.00
  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 27 11 2 14 31 53 −22 40.74
  New Zealand 13 0 2 11 11 49 −38 0.00
  Papua New Guinea 23 14 4 5 40 29 +11 60.87
  Samoa[a] 3 3 0 0 20 0 +20 100.00
  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 202 87 36 79 445 387 +58 43.07
Source: 1963–99 results and 2000–present results
Notes:
  1. ^ Includes results as Western Samoa.
  2. ^ Includes results as New Hebrides.

Honours edit

Historical kits edit

References edit

  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 4 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  2. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 27 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  3. ^ "Member Association – Solomon Islands". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on 23 June 2007. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  4. ^ "Solomon Islands appoint new coach". 23 June 2021. Archived from the original on 23 June 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  5. ^ "Historic training camp in Netherlands wrap-up". siff.com.sb. Archived from the original on 2 July 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  6. ^ "FIFA.com". 23 June 2007. Archived from the original on 23 June 2007.
  7. ^ "Solomons search for new coach". Oceania Football Confederation. 29 July 2016. Archived from the original on 29 July 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  8. ^ "Final Squad". Facebook. Solomon Islands Football Federation.
  9. ^ "Solomon Islands". National Football Teams. Archived from the original on 2 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2021.

Further reading edit

External links edit

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