Bilikiki off to Qatar
The Bilikiki boys transiting at Jacksons International airport in Port Moresby today. Photo: Rickson, J. Bau.
The country’s National Beach Soccer team Bilikiki, has left today for the ANOC World Beach Games in Qatar this month.
The Gideon Omokirio-led side is looking forward for their first match up against Italy on 12th October while Spain waits in line for the second match on 14th October.
The Beach boys will then take on Mexico in their final group match on 15th this month before hitting the tar mark again.
Solomon Islands booked its place in this year’s Beach Soccer World Cup after their recent come back at the ANOC World Beach Games Qualifiers in Pape’ete, Tahiti earlier this year.
It was a historic win for the Bilikiki boys since their first appearance in the Beach Soccer World cup in 2013.
The Bilikiki boys posed for a photo shoot. Photo: Rickson Jordan Bau.
Meanwhile, four newcomers are among the original eight who competed in the recent OFC Beach Qualifiers in Tahiti early this year.
They are Kevin Koipala, Roy Maefane, Maxi Fa’aria and Allen Farobo, who joined the team for the Beach Soccer Qualifiers earlier this year. Melchior Kepangi and David Tome are the new kids on the bloc.
Tahiti could not compete at this year’s ANOC World Beach Games in Qatar as it is a French territory. Only commonwealth countries are participating in the Qatar games.
Accompanied by Coach Gideon Omokirio, Team physio Joe Lui and Team manager Reuben Oimae, the National Beach Soccer team travels to Qatar through Singapore today.
Players travelling to Qatar include Robert Laua, Melchior Kepangi, Maxi Fa’aria, Allen Farobo, Kevin Koipala, Davidson Tome, Patrick Marie, Roy Maefane, McPhilip Aisa, Nicholas Muri, Fred Hale and Izomo Bird.
By Rickson Jordan Bau.