The Solomon Islands football team is one step closer to the Olympic Games in Paris after coming out as top in their group matches. The team now needs to beat Samoa in the semi-finals to secure a spot in the finals.

A win in the final would secure them a spot for the Olympic Games in Paris in July. 

Pacific football legend, Batram Suri is the proud head coach of the Solomon Islands. He sees this match as exciting but challenging, especially playing on Samoan territory. 

"They have the advantage of the crowd behind them, and they are here in Samoa,” said Suri. 

Despite the challenges, Suri is confident in his team's abilities. 

"When looking at the players, they are doing very well at the moment within the team," he said. In addition to being happy for his team, he added that it was a bonus for them to reach the semi-finals. 

While everyone was cheering on Samoa and Tonga from the stands on Tuesday, Suri and his team used that time to analyse and observe both the team's weaknesses and strengths.  

"We watched how Samoa play, and like me as a coach, I have to observe and analyse the strengths and the weaknesses of Samoa," said Suri. 

The competition has seen many tired bodies and injuries, with all teams having played three games in just over a week. In an earlier interview with Team Samoa's head coach, Juan Chang Urrea, he admitted that his team had a couple of injuries, including players Xevani Salanoa and Khelistar Murray-Kumitau, as seen in the match on Tuesday.

"Playing three games in six days takes a really hard toll on their bodies. But everybody is playing a big role in our team, also the ones that start on the bench. That is why we have 22 players on the team and not only 11," said Urrea.

Suri said they, too, had injuries in their team, especially with a few key players, but were hoping they get better before the game. "We look after them well to improve their injuries," said Suri. 

Solomon Islands last game with Samoa was in the Nations Cup in 2022. Samoa lost 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. The semi-finals will be held today at the FFS grounds in Tuanaimato on Field One at 1pm while New Zealand and Fiji's semi-finals will be held on Field Two at 5 pm. 

The winners from each semi-final will go head to head in the finals on Monday 19th February 2024 to see who qualifies for the Olympics later this year. According to research, this will be Samoa's first time in the semi-finals for a women's football team.