Mango: Samoa is a total ‘surprise package’ for us
Solomon Islands Men’s Football Team Vice Captain, Philip Mango, has described Samoa as a total new package for the Solomon Islands following a hard-earned 1-0 victory at the Lawson Tama Stadium yesterday.
In a post-match interview with the country’s current top goalkeeper, he said the current Samoan team played a totally different football style from the team we used to know in the past.
“I am surprised, really surprised by the football displayed by the Samoan side. But it is also important to note that every team in Oceania today is improving and are catching up on us.
“Therefore, we need to step up two over even three times more to maintain our status in Oceania football,” Mango said.
Mango’s stellar performance and leadership skills were instrumental in securing this crucial win for his team. He also made some crucial saves for the Solomon Islands, which if conceded will cost the team dearly but also blamed defensive errors caused by his defenders.
He recalls, that in the first half, they could have scored more goals but that didn’t work out as a result of poor passing and poor game coordination.
“In the first half, we tried playing according to our game plan, but somehow the passing, and coordination are not right. We tried to make through passes to our forwards but that didn’t work as well,” he said.
The score line was nil-all at half-time.
At the half-time break, Mango said the Coach, Felipe Venga Arongo had to tell the boys to go back into the field and try as much as possible to score goals.
In an interview, Arongo is not very satisfied with how his boys played, but happy that they got the win.
“We need to forget about the game against Samoa, and focus on the next one against American Samoa,” said, Mr Arongo.
Before the match, the head coach told local media that the first game against Samoa will be the most difficult game for Solomon Islands, as he’s aware that the Samoan team is going to come out stronger against the hosts.
Meanwhile, Mango said their final pool match against American Samoa is going to be another important game and a must-win game.
“The plan now is to get the full three points in our next game against American Samoa. But that would not come easy. We have to work hard to grab the 3 points.
“Just like the game against Samoa, we will not expect a very easy game with American Samoa,” Mango said.
The vice-captain also wishes to thank the supporters who came out to cheer for the home side at the Lawson Tama Stadium yesterday.
Solomon Islands next game will be against American Samoa at 3pm on Thursday 23rd November, 2023, Lawson Tama Stadium. –ENDS//