It is another disappointing finish for the Solomon Islands Kurukuru, having exited the World Cup at the group stage.
The Solomon Islands put up a spirited fight against Thailand but could not get the results they wanted with the match ending 9-4 in favor of Thailand.
The Solomon Islands showed grit and determination from start to finish. Despite three quick goals from Thailand in the first spell, Kurukuru kept chasing. They created some good chances but could only convert four in a thrilling encounter. Elis Mana and Marlon Sia scored a goal each alongside a brace from skipper Elliot Ragomo.
Thailand proved the better side, converting chances to goals, ending the game 9-4.
Despite the results and the early exit, what the game against Thailand showed is that we are within reach of competing with the World’s best. We are the undisputed Kings of Futsal in Oceania, we just need proper training facilities and an active Futsal league to identify talents. The sad reality is our boys trained in an outdoor concrete basketball court for the World Cup - we cannot expect to compete at the World stage with such facilities.
This is not the end of the Kurukuru, with the new state of the art Futsal court soon to be opened perhaps the real journey of the Solomon Islands Kurukuru is about to begin, that will see the Solomon Islands rise to the top of Futsal glory at the World stage.