SPANIARD Felipe Vega-Arango exclusively told Star Sports on Wednesday, his training drills since taking the helm of our national football side few months ago.
Vega-Arango arrived in the country as a Technical Director (TD) but since then he has taking charge of the national side preparation for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Qualifiers – OFC Stage three (3) home and away ties with Papua New Guinea next month.
Speaking to Star Sports in an exclusively interview yesterday, the once La Liga coach said he only have six weeks to prepare the team and on day one he implemented the 5 circle training drills.
“In the beginning it was tough because we only have six weeks so I have to break those weeks in micro circles.
“The first circle is fitness because we have to be strong and if we are strong we have more chances. Second circle is on technique and then the third circle is on tactics preparation of the team and so forth,” he said.
It was challenging from start but the Spaniard said he is really happy with how the players are responding.
“The team is responding really well as in beginning it was tough so they have to do a lot of running and a lot of movement with the ball.
“The most important thing is they are doing very well, the training has been great,” he added.
Coming from a professional setting, Vega-Arango stated the players are having a new experience with his training sessions.
“I am doing a professional training and it takes them a little time to adjust and even though the veteran players like Nelson Sale, Henry Fa’arodo and James Naka, they were telling me, we never seen anything like it before,” the national side tactician explain.
He stressed he has faith in the current crop of players at his disposal and believe the team can make the country proud come next month.
“I am really proud of them and if they keep working this way I believe we can make the Solomon people really happy,” he stated.
Meanwhile, 26 national footballers are undergoing an intensive professional training under the eagle eyes of the Spaniard 3 days a week at DC Park in East Honiara.
Out of the 26 players, 23 will travel next week for the double header friendlies with Fiji.
International duo Benjamin Totori and Micah Lea’alafa will join the team for those two friendlies.
Our national side looks to use the two friendly matches as warm-ups ahead of the crucial two legs encounter against PNG next month.
Currently, we are battling with francophone powerhouse Tahiti and PNG for a place in the final against arch rival New Zealand.
By SIMON ABANA
