Solomon Islands football star Raphael Lea'i will undergo surgery today in Lithuania after fracturing his arm during a international futsal friendly.
Raphael Lea'i fractured his forearm against Italy. Photo: SIFF Media
The 18 year-old was ruled out of the Kurukuru's Futsal World Cup campaign after suffering the injury against Italy on 1 September, in the team's opening match of the Futsal Week Summer Cup in Croatia.
The Henderson Eels playmaker will be sidelined for up to three months.
Solomon Islands Football Federation President William Lai said it was unfortunate for the team to lose Lea'i for this campaign.
"We all wish a successful operation and speedy recovery. Kurukuru surely miss his service but Raphael is young and has a lot of future in futsal ahead of him."
Kurukuru team doctor Alex Munamua said the procedure at Gijos Private Medical Centre will speed up the player's recovery.
"This surgery is very important for him so that he can have a quick recovery by early use of his forearm and also rehabilitation for him to get back into training," he explained.
"His injury came as a shock for the team's preparation and his untimely absence really affected the teams' preparations for the world cup matches. Despite having two extra players travelling apart from the 14, Raphael was greatly missed."
Kurukuru team doctor Alex Munamua, Raphael Lea'i and SIFF President William Lai at the hospital. Photo: SIFF Media
The Solomon Islands thanked FIFA and local officials in Lithuania for their assistance in helping to provide Lea'i with the best possible care.
"SIFF's preparation to the world cup has enabled him to have such surgery in Lithuania with the team health insurance and with FIFA's local organising committee affiliations has made this possible," Munamua said.
"We look forward to a quick recovery for this young lad maybe in the next 3 months or so depending on the Medical team's advice. Kurukuru fans watching closely since the team started the journey will miss Raphael but we assure you all that you will see more of him in the future World cup Futsal."
The Kurukuru lost their opening World Cup match against Morocco 6-0 and face Portugal and Thailand in their remaining group games.
