Courtesy: Solomon Star News


Kurukuru take on RAMSI tonight

Monday, 28 September 2009

SOLOMON Islands’ national futsal team, Kurukuru, which claimed the title of Oceania champions in 2008, is set to play a Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) team in a friendly fundraising match this (Monday) evening at Honiara’s Multipurpose Hall in Honiara.

The five-a-side futsal (indoor soccer) match is a one-off match to help raise funds for equipment and uniforms to support the Kurukuru team’s upcoming trip to the Futsal Confederations Cup next month.

As part of the friendly nature of the match, RAMSI has committed to donate $500 for each goal scored by Kurukuru against RAMSI, with this contribution set to double to a maximum of $10,000 should the Kurukuru side score 10 or more goals.

The Kurukuru squad is the Oceania representative at the Futsal Confederations Cup and will be travelling to Libya next month to compete against Guatemala, Iran, Spain, Uruguay and host nation, Libya.

While the Kurukuru squad has a wealth of experience – and a string of major victories – to its name, this will be the first official match for the newly formed RAMSI futsal side, which includes police and military representatives from Australia, New Zealand and Tuvalu.

Solomon Islands’ Kurukuru captain, Elliot Ragomo, said that although the teams were somewhat different in terms of levels of experience, the Kurukuru team was not taking anything for granted.

“I can assure you that we will give this match our all and will fight to earn every goal,” said Mr Ragomo.

“And given the incentive – that the more goals we score, the more RAMSI will contribute for equipment – we will be playing as hard as we can.”

Captain-Coach of the RAMSI team, Kurt Greenwood of RAMSI’s Combined Task Force, said that while he was reluctant to talk his team up too heavily given the quality of their opposition, he still believes the RAMSI side will put up a good fight.

“Solomon Islands is a nation that takes its soccer very seriously,” explained Mr Greenwood.

“There’s no doubt we’re going into this match as strong underdogs, but I know the team is focused to do our respective Pacific nations proud against the might of Kurukuru.”

Soccer fans are encouraged to come down to support either side.

The friendly match kicks off at 5pm and entry is free







Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com