BY ELTON LONARATHA JNR
SOLOMON Islands national Men’s U19 striker James Laena impacted the U19 team with his first debut goal against Vanuatu yesterday.
Laena and the team kicked off their Oceania Men’s U19 Championship with a positive 1-0 over a well-determined Vanuatu in the first match of Group A.
The 19-year-old selected through the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) Talent Identification Programme in Western Province was exceptional in the national Men’s U19 team starting eleven against Vanuatu yesterday.
His 16th-minute goal helped the team to earn their first three points and a positive start at the tournament. He proved himself as one of the promising talents, making his way from grassroots football to the national level.
Included in the team alongside Laena were four talents selected through the SIFF Talent Identification program in Rennell Bellona, Makira/ Ulawa, Choiseul, and Western Province.
The other four players will be looking forward to making their mark for the national side once coach Batram Suri gives them to expose their potential at the tournament.
A bonus for the team in their first victory as defender Gordon Iro received the Player of the Match award for the opening matches of Group A at the OFC U-19 Men’s Championship.
Next up is Tahiti on the 11th of June.
