Solomon Islands club champions, Kossa FC, flew back into the country yesterday fully determined to go all the way after their superb performances which saw them advancing to the final stages of the 'O' league competition.
KOSSA's coach, Jacob Moli, during a press conference, told reporters that the boys are really happy with their two performances against Tafea FC of Vanuatu and Fiji club champions Ba FC.Standings in the O-League final were up for grabs after KOSSA could only manage a 1-1 draw with Tafea FC at Port Vila Municipal Stadium in Vanuatu. The result meant that Tafea could not progress through to the final, leaving the mighty Men in Blacks from Ba the only hurdle. But not even the mighty men from Ba could overcome the determined KOSSA lads. The Fijian club champions were also humbled by KOSSA on Saturday with a 4-2 win.
"The teams overall performance during their away trip really came down to how well the boys prepared before heading off overseas," said Mr. Moli. Moli said that unlike their recent performance in Ba, where they had a small group of Solomon Islanders supporting them, they had to face up to an unreceptive crowd in Port Vila during their match against Tafea.
"Tafea played a different physical style of Football, I must praise the boys for maintaining their discipline throughout the game," Mr. Moli said. He said that now that they have advanced into the next round they would now focus on even more intensive training ahead of the final home and away playoffs scheduled to happen sometimes this month.
Technical manager, Willie Lai, thanked their fans, families, sponsors and executives who have been very supportive during their campaign to represent the country.
The boys were then taken on a parade around town before being formally welcomed at a reception organized at the Telekom Recreational grounds.