www.lifhaus.com.sb

Against all expectations, the Solomon Bonitoes went all the way to claim the silver medal in soccer at the Pacific Games held in New Caledonia.  The team and its coaching staff had endured bitter criticisms from all corners.  Surely, the football federation, the coach and the players must now feel some form of vindication given that a silver medal was the last thing many die hard fans were expecting from the team.

"Back home, a lot of people did not expect us to come this far and I think we proved our critics wrong by making it to the final." coach Jacob Moli revealed after losing the final to New Caledonia.

Lifhaus has also had a long running discussion thread on this topic.  While most fierce critics have been consoled with the silver medal others are still adamant that changes must be made even right within SIFF itself.  Speaking with Lifhaus, one of those critics said, "I honestly believe that if we had prepared well in advance, the gold would have been ours so someone must be held accountable because at the end of the day, we had the talent to win but they were not well prepared."

Other critics are already focussed on the upcoming World Cup qualifiers urging SIFF to prepare the team now.  "We should put together a better management team and prepare the boys well in advance.  Organize quality warm up matches and give every opportunity for the boys to expose themselves to a tougher level of competition while playing together."

Coach Jacob Moli already agrees with this view, saying "We just have to go back now and work on some areas that need to be improved." when speaking with Oceania Football Federation media.

While the jury is still out on the Solomon Bonitoes, one corporate sponsor is still backing the team with unwavering support.  Lifhaus sources say, Our Telekom is backing the team "because this is our team, our pride and game.  Our Telekom is proud to be the main sponsors of the Solomon Islands national squad and like a true fan will, we will support them in loss or in winning."

The Solomon Bonitoes was the only team sport to win a medal and it was Team Solomon's 5th silver of the Pacific Games in New Caledonia.