BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
A rare display of team confidence was just enough for the Western beach soccer team to secure the third spot title of this year’s 2021 National Beach Mariner Championship against the Makira/Ulawa.
The Western Kikio beat Makira/Ulawa Shark 8-4 in an entertaining third and fourth playoff at DC Park east of Honiara.
Western Kikio Head Coach, Benjamin Mela said from this year’s championship, he aims to scout or recruit new players into the team for future beach soccer championships.
“Of course, we have potential beach soccer players back at home (Western province), and I’m still monitoring the players to identify who to remain on the team and who needs to be replaced.
“I will review the current Kikio beach soccer team as it is comprised mainly of many former and old players.
“Our next appearance in any future tournaments that will be hosted in the country will feature a good combination of new and young talented players. I will make sure more young players are recruited in the team big tournaments.
“On our return, I will advise my boys (players) to maintain commitment to their training. As a coach, I will not give up, but will continue to train and mentor my boys because my biggest priority is to ensure my boys will reach the grand finale of any future or upcoming beach soccer championships,” said Mela told Raw Sports.
Benjamin has spent more than three years coaching the beach soccer talents of the Western province. Since being in charge of the team against Malaita in the grand-final of the national beach soccer championship in 2016, he knows that his team might offset the record currently held by Malaita (Kwikwi).
“My first appearance with Kikio Team was in 2016 during the Solomon Games Beach Soccer Championship held at the Mamana Water, Honiara. At that time, we secured second place following our defeat.
“Last year (2020), we scoped the fourth place, and this year (2021) which is now my third year with the team, we managed to secure the third place,’’ said Western Kikio Head coach.
In 2007, Mela joined the Solomon Islands National Bilikiki Beach Soccer Team to represent the country at the 13th edition of the 2007 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Rio Janeiro, Brazil.
