The Solomon Islands men's national football team is the national football team of Solomon Islands, administered by the Solomon Islands Football Federation. The Solomon Islands national football team was founded in 1978. They were officially recognised by FIFA a decade later, in 1988.[3]
Nickname(s) | Bonitos | ||
---|---|---|---|
Association | Solomon Islands Football Federation | ||
Confederation | OFC (Oceania) | ||
Head coach | Jacob Moli | ||
Captain | Joses Nawo | ||
Most caps | Henry Fa'arodo (64) | ||
Top scorer | Commins Menapi (34) | ||
Home stadium | National Stadium, Lawson Tama Stadium | ||
FIFA code | SOL | ||
| |||
FIFA ranking | |||
Current | 133 1 (20 June 2024)[1] | ||
Highest | 120 (October 2007, April 2008) | ||
Lowest | 200 (January–March 2016) | ||
First international | |||
Solomon Islands 6–3 New Hebrides (Suva, Fiji; 30 August 1963) | |||
Biggest win | |||
Solomon Islands 16–0 Cook Islands (Papeete, Tahiti; 21 August 1995) | |||
Biggest defeat | |||
Tahiti 18–0 Solomon Islands (Suva, Fiji; 8 December 1963) | |||
OFC Nations Cup | |||
Appearances | 8 (first in 1980) | ||
Best result | Runners-up, 2004 |
During the 2004 Oceania World Cup qualification/Oceania Cup the team drew 2–2 with Australia and qualified for the second leg. In the second leg, the Solomon Islands national men's team were thrashed by Australia 5–1 and 6–0 in the two matches, with Australia qualifying for the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup.
The Solomons got a second chance against the Socceroos in a two-legged series in September 2005, this time with the winner advancing to a two-legged series against CONMEBOL's fifth-place finisher for a berth in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and the team was thrashed by Australia 7–0 on the first leg and 2–1 in the second played at home.
The Solomons were knocked out of the 2010 FIFA World Cup – having got off to a good start winning every game in their qualifying group and comfortably progressing to the knockout rounds, defeats to New Caledonia and then to Vanuatu saw them knocked out of the competition.
In 2012, the Solomon Islands held the 2012 OFC Nations Cup which was also the second round of World Cup qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup where they finished in fourth place after qualifying through to the knockout stage by defeating Papua New Guinea and having draws against Fiji and New Zealand. They lost in the semi-final after they lost to the champions Tahiti after Jonathan Tehau scored the only goal. They later lost to New Zealand in the third-place playoff. The third round of World Cup qualifying saw the team finish bottom of the group after only taking one win against Tahiti.
After first taking charge of the team in 2017, Spaniard Felipe Vega-Arango was appointed for his second stint in June 2021.[4]
In 2019, they went on a three-week training tour in Netherlands.[5]
In June 2023, Solomon Islands played their friendly match against Southeast Asia countries, Singapore and Malaysia. Solomon Island won the 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup after winning against Papua New Guinea (3–1), Vanuatu (1–0) and New Caledonia (1–0) as Raphael Lea'i clinch the golden boots as the tournament top scorer with four goals.
Kit lier | Period |
---|---|
Lotto | 2004–2012 |
Pasifika | 2013–2016 |
Veto | 2016–2021 |
UCAN | 2022– |
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
Win Draw Loss Fixture
8 October 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup | Papua New Guinea | 1–3 | Solomon Islands | Nouméa, New Caledonia |
14:00 UTC+11:00 | Gunemba 51' | Report | Lea'i 80', 86', 90+3' | Stadium: Stade Numa-Daly Magenta Referee: Norbert Hauata (Tahiti) |
11 October 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup | Solomon Islands | 1–0 | Vanuatu | Koné, New Caledonia |
13:00 UTC+11:00 | Leslie 45' | Report | Stadium: Stade Yoshida |
14 October 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup | Solomon Islands | 1–0 | New Caledonia | Nouméa, New Caledonia |
17:00 UTC+11:00 | Stadium: Stade Numa-Daly Magenta |
17 November 2023 Pacific Games | Solomon Islands | 1–0 | Samoa | Honiara, Solomon Islands |
15:00 UTC+11 | Orobulu 49' | Report | Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium Referee: Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh (New Zealand) |
23 November 2023 Pacific Games | American Samoa | 0–11 | Solomon Islands | Lawson Tama Stadium, Honiara |
15:00 | Report |
|
Referee: Calvin Berg (New Zealand) |
28 November 2023 Pacific Games SF | Fiji | 0–2 | Solomon Islands | Honiara, Solomon Islands |
15:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium Referee: Norbert Hauata (Tahiti) |
2 December 2023 Pacific Games Final | New Caledonia | 2–2 (a.e.t.) (7–6 p) | Solomon Islands | Honiara, Solomon Islands |
10:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium Referee: Norbert Hauata (Tahiti) |
Penalties | ||||
|
|
18 March Friendly | Solomon Islands | 2–1 | Fiji | Honiara, Solomon Islands |
15:00 UTC+11 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium |
21 March Friendly | Solomon Islands | 0–2 | Fiji | Honiara, Solomon Islands |
Raheem 45' Krishna 64' |
Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium |
15 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup | Solomon Islands | 0–1 | Vanuatu | Port Vila, Vanuatu |
15:00 UTC+11 | Report |
|
Stadium: Freshwater Stadium Attendance: 5,000 Referee: Veer Singh (Fiji) |
18 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup | New Zealand | 3–0 | Solomon Islands | Port Vila, Vanuatu |
12:00 UTC+11 |
|
Report | Stadium: Freshwater Stadium Attendance: 3,000 Referee: David Yareboinen (Papua New Guinea) |
21 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup | New Caledonia | Cancelled | Solomon Islands | Port Vila, Vanuatu |
12:00 UTC+11 | Stadium: Freshwater Stadium | |||
Note: On 5 June 2024, New Caledonia withdrew from the 2024 OFC Nations Cup due to the serious crisis in the country.[6] |
September Friendly | Solomon Islands | v | Hong Kong | Suva, Fiji |
--:-- UTC+12 | Stadium: HFC Bank Stadium |
Position | |
---|---|
Head coach | Jacob Moli[7] |
Assistant coach | Stanley Waita[7] |
Goalkeeper coach | Zantas Kabini |
Kit Manager | Augustine Hou |
Team Manager | Patrick Miniti |
The following 23 players were called up for the 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup.[10]
Caps and goals correct as of 18 June 2024, after the match against New Zealand
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1GK | Philip Mango | (1995-08-28) August 28, 1995 (age 28) | 41 | 0 | Central Coast | |
1GK | Michael Laulae | (2002-05-20) May 20, 2002 (age 22) | 3 | 0 | Henderson Eels | |
1GK | Harold Nauania | (1997-10-10) October 10, 1997 (age 26) | 1 | 0 | Waneagu United | |
2DF | Javin Wae | (2002-11-17) November 17, 2002 (age 21) | 20 | 0 | Central Coast | |
2DF | Leon Kofana | (2002-06-22) June 22, 2002 (age 22) | 19 | 0 | Rewa | |
2DF | Allen Peter | (1995-09-11) September 11, 1995 (age 28) | 18 | 0 | Solomon Warriors | |
2DF | David Supa | (2000-12-21) December 21, 2000 (age 23) | 14 | 0 | Central Coast | |
2DF | Calvin Ohasio | (2000-04-05) April 5, 2000 (age 24) | 10 | 0 | Central Coast | |
2DF | Junior David | (2001-09-22) September 22, 2001 (age 22) | 8 | 0 | Central Coast | |
2DF | Prince Tahanipue | (1995-01-13) January 13, 1995 (age 29) | 8 | 0 | Central Coast | |
2DF | Steven Koti | (2000-06-10) June 10, 2000 (age 24) | 0 | 0 | Kossa | |
3MF | Atkin Kaua | (1996-04-04) April 4, 1996 (age 28) | 38 | 5 | Laugu United | |
3MF | Tigi Molea | (1992-09-24) September 24, 1992 (age 31) | 9 | 3 | Solomon Warriors | |
3MF | Marlon Tahioa | (1998-11-28) November 28, 1998 (age 25) | 9 | 0 | Central Coast | |
3MF | Hudson Oreinima | (1988-07-24) July 24, 1988 (age 35) | 2 | 0 | Central Coast | |
3MF | Hadyn Irodao | (2002-10-29) October 29, 2002 (age 21) | 0 | 0 | Central Coast | |
4FW | Joses Nawo | (1988-05-03) May 3, 1988 (age 36) | 54 | 8 | Kossa | |
4FW | Gagame Feni | (1992-08-21) August 21, 1992 (age 31) | 35 | 19 | Kossa | |
4FW | Alvin Hou | (1996-09-18) September 18, 1996 (age 27) | 25 | 7 | Solomon Warriors | |
4FW | Raphael Lea'i | (2003-09-09) September 9, 2003 (age 20) | 20 | 12 | Adelaide City | |
4FW | John Orobulu | (2000-08-29) August 29, 2000 (age 23) | 11 | 8 | Henderson Eels | |
4FW | Bobby Leslie | (2000-03-03) March 3, 2000 (age 24) | 10 | 2 | Central Coast | |
4FW | Junior Fordney | (1999-11-26) November 26, 1999 (age 24) | 1 | 0 | Central Coast |
The following players have also been called up within the last twelve months.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Junior Petua | (2003-12-30) December 30, 2003 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | Honiara City | v. Fiji, 20 March 2024 |
GK | Timothy Mae'arasia | (1995-06-19) June 19, 1995 (age 29) | 2 | 0 | Solomon Warriors | 2023 Pacific Games |
DF | Alick Stanton | (1998-05-25) May 25, 1998 (age 26) | 8 | 0 | Central Coast | v. Fiji, 20 March 2024 |
DF | Hadisi Aengari | (1988-10-23) October 23, 1988 (age 35) | 44 | 0 | Solomon Warriors | v. Fiji, 20 March 2024 |
DF | Loea Taisara | (1989-06-02) June 2, 1989 (age 35) | 3 | 0 | Solomon Warriors | 2023 Pacific Games |
MF | William Komasi | (2000-06-10) June 10, 2000 (age 24) | 19 | 1 | Nadroga | v. Fiji, 20 March 2024 |
MF | Molis Gagame | (1989-09-21) September 21, 1989 (age 34) | 14 | 0 | Kossa | v. Fiji, 20 March 2024 |
MF | Don Keana | (2000-09-09) September 9, 2000 (age 23) | 4 | 0 | Waneagu United | v. Fiji, 20 March 2024 |
FW | Micah Lea'alafa | (1991-06-01) June 1, 1991 (age 33) | 26 | 8 | FK Beograd | 2023 Pacific Games |
FW | Norman Ngafu | (1997-07-16) July 16, 1997 (age 26) | 1 | 0 | Marist | 2023 Pacific GamesPRE |
Rank | Name | Caps | Goals | Career |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Henry Fa'arodo | 64 | 20 | 2002–2017 |
2 | Joses Nawo | 52 | 8 | 2011–present |
Benjamin Totori | 52 | 29 | 2007–2019 | |
4 | Hadisi Aengari | 44 | 0 | 2011–present |
5 | Philip Mango | 39 | 0 | 2016–present |
6 | Nelson Sale Kilifa | 37 | 0 | 2004–2017 |
7 | Atkin Kaua | 36 | 5 | 2016–present |
Commins Menapi | 36 | 34 | 2000–2007 | |
Batram Suri | 36 | 14 | 1995–2005 | |
10 | Gagame Feni | 34 | 19 | 2012–present |
Rank | Name | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Commins Menapi | 34 | 36 | 0.94 | 2000–2007 |
2 | Benjamin Totori | 29 | 52 | 0.56 | 2007–2019 |
3 | Henry Fa'arodo | 20 | 64 | 0.31 | 2002–2017 |
4 | Gagame Feni | 19 | 34 | 0.56 | 2012–present |
5 | Batram Suri | 14 | 36 | 0.39 | 1995–2005 |
6 | Raphael Lea'i | 12 | 18 | 0.67 | 2022–present |
7 | Noel Berry | 10 | 15 | 0.67 | 1995–2000 |
8 | John Orobulu | 8 | 9 | 0.89 | 2018–present |
Micah Lea'alafa | 8 | 26 | 0.31 | 2016–present | |
Joses Nawo | 8 | 52 | 0.15 | 2011–present |
FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup qualification | ||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Host | Round | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | Pos | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | ||
1930to1986 | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | |||||||||||||||
1990 | Italy | Did not enter | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||
1994 | United States | Did not qualify | Group Stage | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 13 | ||||||||
1998 | France | Group Stage | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 22 | 23 | |||||||||
2002 | South Korea Japan |
Group Stage | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 17 | 10 | |||||||||
2006 | Germany | 2nd | 11 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 24 | 16 | |||||||||
2010 | South Africa | Knockout Stage | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 23 | 6 | |||||||||
2014 | Brazil | 4th | 9 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 22 | |||||||||
2018 | Russia | 2nd | 9 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 10 | 16 | |||||||||
2022 | Qatar | 2nd | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 8 | |||||||||
2026 | Canada Mexico United States |
To be determined | To be determined | ||||||||||||||
2030 | Morocco Portugal Spain | ||||||||||||||||
2034 | Saudi Arabia | ||||||||||||||||
Total | — | – | – | – | – | – | – | 0/9 | 57 | 23 | 9 | 25 | 118 | 121 |
Oceania Cup / OFC Nations Cup record | Qualification record | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
1973 | Did not enter | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||
1980 | Group stage | 8th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 21 | — | No qualification | ||||||
1996 | Semi-finals | 3rd | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | Squad | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 | |
1998 | Did not qualify | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 7 | |||||||||
2000 | Third place | 3rd | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 10 | Squad | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 9 | |
2002 | Group stage | 6th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 9 | Squad | Qualified automatically | ||||||
2004 | Runners-up | 2nd | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 10 | 17 | Squad | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 1 | |
2008 | Did not qualify | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 23 | 6 | |||||||||
2012 | Fourth place | 4th | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 6 | Squad | Qualified as host | ||||||
2016 | Semi-finals | 3rd | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 4 | Squad | Qualified automatically | ||||||
2024 | Group stage | 6th | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | Squad | |||||||
Total | Runners-up | 8/11 | 30 | 7 | 4 | 19 | 31 | 74 | — | 22 | 15 | 3 | 4 | 65 | 24 |
Pacific Games record | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
1963 | Fourth place | 4th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 26 |
1966 | Group stage | 6th | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 12 |
1969 | Sixth place | 6th | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 19 |
1971 | did not enter | |||||||
1975 | Third place | 3rd | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 8 |
1979 | Third place | 3rd | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 24 | 5 |
1983 | Group stage | 10th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 11 |
1987 | did not enter | |||||||
1991 | Runners-up | 2nd | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 3 |
1995 | Runners-up | 2nd | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 34 | 10 |
2003 | Group stage | 5th | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 4 |
2007 | Fourth place | 4th | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 23 | 6 |
2011 | Runners-up | 2nd | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 21 | 6 |
2015 | See Solomon Islands national under-23 football team | |||||||
2019 | Group stage | 7th | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 30 | 9 |
Total | Runners-up | 12/15 | 55 | 29 | 6 | 20 | 185 | 119 |
Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | WPCT |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
American Samoa | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 1 | +39 | 100.00 |
Australia | 10 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 8 | 55 | −47 | 0.00 |
Chinese Taipei | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 100.00 |
Cook Islands | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 2 | +35 | 100.00 |
Fiji | 41 | 8 | 16 | 17 | 46 | 74 | −28 | 19.51 |
Guam | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 2 | +22 | 100.00 |
Kiribati | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | +7 | 100.00 |
Macau | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 100.00 |
Malaysia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | −3 | 0.00 |
New Caledonia | 28 | 11 | 3 | 14 | 33 | 55 | −22 | 39.29 |
New Zealand | 14 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 11 | 52 | −41 | 0.00 |
Papua New Guinea | 23 | 14 | 4 | 5 | 40 | 29 | +11 | 60.87 |
Samoa[a] | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 0 | +21 | 100.00 |
Singapore | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | −1 | 0.00 |
Tahiti | 24 | 5 | 3 | 16 | 26 | 76 | −50 | 20.83 |
Tonga | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 0 | +31 | 100.00 |
Tuvalu | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 1 | +28 | 100.00 |
Vanuatu[b] | 35 | 22 | 7 | 6 | 77 | 37 | +40 | 62.86 |
Wallis and Futuna | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 1 | +22 | 100.00 |
Total | 209 | 91 | 37 | 81 | 463 | 395 | +68 | 43.54 |