The Solomon Islands coach Gideon Omokirio says his players are ready to regain their rightful place at next month's Beach Soccer World Cup in Tahiti.
Omokirio captained his country at four World Cup tournaments between 2006 and 2009 but the Bilikiki missed out on the 2011 event, with Tahiti qualifying as the Oceania representative.
This year Tahiti qualify automatically as hosts, with this weekend's Oceania qualifying tournament in Noumea to determine who of Vanuatu, New Caledonia and the Solomons will join them from the region.
Omokirio says after being the standard bearer in Oceania for so long they're as determined as ever to show they're still the best.
"It really motivates us to come back to show to the region, epecially to OFC and to the world, that we are still competitive and we are still strong. We are fighting back very strongly to qualify for the World Cup and as soon as we qualify we will put a better, best team to represent Solomon Islands at the World Cup so we will do much better than the previous years."
The Oceania qualifying tournament begins on Saturday and runs until Monday.
