The Solomon Islands national beach soccer team jetted out of Honiara for the United Arab Emirates on Friday, a week earlier their schedule to play some buildup games prior to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Dubai from 16-22 November.

Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) General Secretary Eddie Ngava confirmed the team will have one week for friendly matches and training in Dubai before the tournament.

“SIFF and Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) are working together to ensure that the team has the best training possible,” Ngava told the SIFF Media.

“As part of the team’s preparation an expert overseas coach has come in to assist the team locally and they will also have three friendly matches in Dubai before the World Cup kicks off, hence, their early departure."

The team completed a week of training with Switzerland assistant beach soccer coach Davor Ivcevic last week. Feedback from the players was positive with several crediting Ivecic for giving them a deeper understanding of their strengths and weaknesses.

The Bilikiki went into training straight after winning the OFC Beach Soccer Championship Tahiti Nui in July and maintained a steady schedule.

Team Manager Rueben Oimae told local media this week that he is satisfied that his squad has shown excellent application to their required training regime and this dedication has lifted the quality of their play accordingly.

“Our aim is to reach the second round and we have put all our training towards achieving that,” Oimae said.

The Bilikiki are in a highly challenging Pool D along with United Arab Emirates, Uruguay and former champions Portugal. This will be Solomon Islands fourth consecutive FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup appearance.

The Solomon Islands plays Uruguay on November 16 and then plays host UAE on the 17 and takes on Portugal a day later in its final pool match.

Fijilive

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