BY ROMULUS HUTA
EUROPE-based Marcus Chan feels privileged to be given an opportunity and described it as a blessing to don the national colours at next week’s OFC U-19 Championship in Tahiti.
Chan, who is a member of the Cracks Academy based in Valencia, Spain, said he is proud to be picked by the national youth coach Batram Suri.
“I’m proud to join the national under-19 team.
“Our goal is to go there, win the tournament and qualify for the world cup.
“There are lots of players here, probably all good players, but we are privileged to make the final squad.
“It’s a blessing to be selected. There are many players to choose from here but we are the fortunate final players. We’re pleased to make it.
“For me personally, I didn’t think I will make it the first time. But then it happened the coach picked me,” Chan stressed.
Team mate Ali Mekawir is also pleased with the opportunity of having Chan on board the team.
“It’s a big opportunity for me to play alongside Marcus in the team, especially someone coming from a professional background. We make good combination in the midfield and I’m also learning a lot from him.
“We have a dream. Our dream is to help Solomon Islands win the qualifier and take us to the world cup.
“We will try our best to make Solomon Islands make the first world cup.
“That is our goal heading into this tournament.
“This is a new team unlike the under-17 team we played in Tahiti and lost in the semis to New Caledonia. Now we are confident with much more experience than the last time.
“During the under-17 tournament we lost and the feeling was painful.
“It’s like an unfinished business and we must deliver what we are going for,” the midfielder said.
