BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
SOLOMON Islands National Futsal Team, Kururkuru captain Jeffrey Bule, is excited about playing against the Australian national team, the Fulsalroos, in their first home match of the 2024 PacificAus Sports Futsal Series.
The 2024 PacificAus Sports Futsal Series will feature three friendly matches between the Solomon Islands’ Kurukuru Futsal Team and Australia’s national Futsalroos from February 21–25 at the Friendship Hall, east of Honiara.
The series match days are Wednesday, February 21, Friday, February 23, and Sunday, February 25, at 6:00 p.m. local time.
At a press conference today, Tuesday, February 20, Kurukuru Team Captain Bule expressed gratitude to the Futsalroos for their support as they eagerly anticipate their first match against them tomorrow evening.
“First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude to Futsalroos for coming; it is greatly appreciated. We are grateful that you could attend, and we are excited for Wednesday’s game. We’ll work hard to compete and give you, the Mighty Futsalroos, a great game,” Bule said.
Mr. Bule also pointed out that the futsal series provided a means of developing new Kurukuru players to take the place of those who had already departed the team.
“To win back our title at OFC, it is crucial for us to rebuild Kurukuru culture. As senior players, I believe it is our responsibility to guide the younger players, as many of us—including James Eketa and Jack Witney—have left the team. Since there are only four of us experienced players on the team, it is crucial that we guide these young players in this three-series friendly match,” he said.
“The team is prepared for the friendly match on Wednesday, even though we have only had seven training sessions for it. I like to encourage supporters and futsal fans to join us in the game and give us their support,” he said.
Likewise, Kurukuru Head Coach Dickson Kadau welcomed the Futsalroos and stated that the country’s long-standing goal for futsal is to host international matches on home soil.
“That is what we have been waiting for a very long time. We have been hoping for avenues, which are now in place, and we are hoping for international friendlies to take place here. It has been roughly 22 to 23 years since I was the Solomon Islands’ futsal coach. Your arrival will help futsal in our nation even more. For us, it’s also the ideal moment. And I’d like to thank Futsalroos,” Kadau said.
