South Island United chase Pro League top four
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
South Island United are in Honiara and keen to kick-start the fourth round of the OFC Pro League where they are chasing two wins to cement their place in the top four of the competition.
The Christchurch-based team will play Hekari FC from Papua New Guinea and Fijian club Bula FC in the Solomon Islands National Stadium and know two good results would do wonders to push them clear on the congested leaderboard.
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“We have seen that every team can beat every team in this competition on the day, and in the challenging conditions in Honiara, no team can be underestimated,” says coach Rob Sherman.
Last week, the Football Ferns played their FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers in the same venue where temperatures reached the high 30s and coaches raised their concerns about players being affected by heatstroke.
“The conditions can never be an excuse as they are the same for every team, but we will carefully look at how we can best prepare and manage our players in case of extreme heat,” says Sherman, who also adds that the weather forecast thankfully predicts plenty of cloud and rain to ease the temperatures the coming week.
South Island United is back in action after a disappointing week in Melbourne where the squad only secured two draws and was comprehensively beaten by South Melbourne in the other match.
“We learned our lessons in that match and I was happy to see the boys responded well against Bula FC in the following match, where we dominated and had enough chances to claim victory,” explained the Welshman, who will be able to field Dauntae Mariner after suspension, who will likely replace fellow midfielder Jaylen Rodwell who will be out after his third yellow card.
“Otherwise, we are looking good and the few days back in Christchurch has given the players carrying some niggles time to recover, so I will have a full squad available for these important games in Honiara.”
South Island United managed to beat Hekari FC in their first encounter \on their home turf in Port Moresby, despite playing with ten men, thanks to a late goal by Rovu Boyers.
The Solomon Island international received a warm welcome on arrival in Honiara on Wednesday by fans, friend family and a considerable media pack.
“It’s really exciting to play in front of all my friends and family so I hope I will get plenty of game time the coming matches,” says Boyers who has been mainly used from the bench this season.
Boyers has been telling his team-mates what to expect in the Solomon Islands where the football fans are considered the most passionate supporters in the Pacific.
“So far the crowds in most places have been small, so I hope we get a big turnout in Honiara and I hope few of them will be supporting South Island United,” says Boyers.
South Island United will kick off at 5pm NZT on Saturday against Hekari FC and the same time against Bula FC next Thursday.
