Vanuatu champions use Honiara friendlies to fine-tune OFC campaign while giving local clubs valuable international exposure
BY RICHARD MENANOPO
Vanuatu champions Galaxy FC have arrived in Honiara determined to use a series of international friendlies against three Solomon Islands S-League clubs as the final step in their preparations for next month’s OFC Men’s Champions League in Fiji.
Speaking at a media conference at Lawson Tama Stadium yesterday, Galaxy FC head coach Batrum Suri said the tour was arranged to sharpen his side for the regional competition while also providing valuable international experience for the Solomon Islands clubs.
“Our coming was meant for preparation for the O-League.
“Our first test match will be tomorrow against Central Coast. We like to play international friendlies so that we can experience the standard of international football,” Suri said.
Galaxy FC will face reigning Telekom S-League champions Central Coast FC today before taking on SOSA FC on Thursday and Malaita Kings FC in the final match of the tour.
Despite dominating domestic football in Vanuatu, Suri said his side still needs stronger opposition ahead of the regional championship.
“In Vanuatu we have won four competitions already, but we still believe we are not yet fully prepared.
“We still need these friendlies because we want to reach another level before the Champions League,” he said.
Galaxy opens their OFC campaign against Fiji champions Rewa FC, a fixture Suri expects will be a stern challenge.
“Our first game against Rewa will not be easy because we will play on their home ground in front of their supporters. These friendlies are very important for our preparation,” he said.
Suri said Solomon Islands was chosen because the local clubs will also benefit from testing themselves against quality international opposition.
“I chose Solomon Islands because I also wanted to help the clubs here, especially Central Coast. International football is different from domestic competition,” he said.
Central Coast FC head coach Jacob Moli welcomed the opportunity, describing Galaxy FC as the perfect benchmark before the OFC tournament.
“Tomorrow’s game is a good opportunity for us. We haven’t had many matches to test ourselves, so this will show us where we are and what we need to improve,” Moli said.
He added that his priority is to assess the team’s performance rather than focusing on the result.
“I’m not too worried about the result. I want to see how the players perform together and identify what we need to improve,” he said.
SOSA FC head coach Stanley Waita said the friendly will be a valuable experience for his young squad.
“We have a young team and the boys are excited because many of them will experience international football for the first time,” Waita said.
Meanwhile, Malaita Kings FC said facing one of Vanuatu’s top clubs will provide invaluable exposure for players who have never competed against overseas opposition.
The three-match series will be played at Lawson Tama Stadium, with all four coaches encouraging football fans to turn out and support the regional showcase.
Galaxy FC are the reigning champions of Vanuatu and will represent their country at the upcoming OFC Men’s Champions League in Fiji. The three-match tour also provides Central Coast FC, SOSA FC and Malaita Kings FC with rare international match experience as they continue their Telekom S-League campaign and prepare for future regional competitions.
Photo credit: Richard Menanopo
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