Solomon Islands to kick off against Cameroon in 2006 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup

OCEANIA FOOTBALL CONFEDERATION

MEDIA RELEASE

Monday 9^th October 2006  The Solomon Islands Bilikiki will kick off their 2006 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Finals campaign against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in Rio de Janeiro on November 2^nd. The Bilikiki will then face South American giants, Uruguay, on November 4^th before they conclude the group stage against Portugal on November 6^th.

 It will be the first time a team from the Oceania Football Confederation other than Australia or New Zealand has qualified for a FIFA world event.

 

The Solomon Islands first opponents, Cameroon, will be skippered by former international goalkeeper, Joseph-Antoine Bell, whose side lifted the CAF (Confederation Africain de Football) title with a 5-3 victory over rivals, Nigeria, during their qualification campaign in Durban, South Africa.

 

Portugal will provide a stern test after finishing runners-up in last year’s FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, a campaign that included a dramatic 6-6 draw with Brazil in the semi-final before Portugal prevailed 2-1 in a penalty shoot-out. The Portuguese faced France in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Final and following a 3-3 draw, lost 1-0 in yet another penalty shoot-out.

 

Portugal has regularly finished in the top four of regional and world tournaments and stars former Algerian international and African Footballer of the Century, Rabah Madjer, who finished top goal scorer at last year’s tournament for the Portuguese netting 12 goals. The former Porto striker has a European Cup winners medal and appeared at the 1982 and 1986 FIFA World Cup with Algeria.

 

Uruguay – beaten quarter-finalists last time – possess a formidable goal scoring record in FIFA Beach World Cup competition scoring an impressive 17 goals in their 4 matches in Rio de Janeiro last year. Uruguay’s defensive record is the least impressive of the Bilikiki’s opponents but with a wealth of experience to draw on the South American’s will be no less a threat.

 

For the Solomon Islands, former international defender Gideon Omokiro represents one of the most experienced figures in the Bilikiki side having played at the OFC Nations Cup in 1996 and forging a National League career in New Zealand with Nelson Suburbs.

 

Solomon Islands coach and former international, Vivian Wickham, at just 24 years of age, is the youngest coach in the tournament. The former Central United player won a handful of caps for his country before taking up a coaching career.

 

The full draw for the 2006 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup is:

 

 

 Group Stage Match Schedule (Local Time Rio de Janeiro)