Cook Islands are set to launch their campaign at the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship, which kicks off this Sunday in Honiara.
The team arrived on Wednesday at Henderson International Airport with a 25-member contingent, including 19 players and six officials.
Speaking to the media upon arrival, head coach George Ellis said, the side is well-prepared for the challenge ahead.
“We travelled here with 19 players and a total team of 25. Preparations have been going well, and we’ve been training for quite some time now.
“I think we are ready to go. We’ve given the knowledge to the team, and hopefully they apply it and if they do, I think we will be okay,” Ellis said.
With a mix of overseas-based and homegrown talent, Ellis believes every player will play a crucial role in the tournament.
“Our team has a lot of potential. We’ve got a few players from overseas and the majority from back home. If everyone does their job, they’ll all be key players,” he noted.
“I have selected the team for various reasons, and each player has their own role. It’s up to them to execute their tasks.”
Coach Ellis and his young side are drawn in Group A alongside Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Tahiti. They will open their campaign at 12:00 p.m. local time on Sunday at Lawson Tama Stadium.
By TIMOTHY INIFIRI JNR
Solomon Star, Honiara
