The Solomon Islands Football Federation believes major change is needed if the national futsal team wants to be competitive on the world stage.
Solomon Islands have represented Oceania at four consecutive Futsal World Cups. Photo: SIFF Media
The Kurukuru finished winless at the World Cup in Lithuania this month, conceding 22 goals in defeats by Morocco, Portugal and Thailand.
The Oceania champions have attended four consecutive World Cups but have struggled to make an impact against countries with bigger budgets, better facilities and more regular competition - winning just once in 13 attempts.
Solomon Islands Football Federation President William Lai said the team "played their hearts out" in Vilnius but their best is no longer enough at the top level.
"We don't want to be thrashed by 15-nil, 10-nil. We just have to accept that we are in the World Cup and we are in the level which where we are now...we need to reflect and we should have a better road map for the future of futsal in terms of the national team."
Kurukuru captain Elliot Ragomo celebrates one of his two goals against Thailand. Photo: Solomon Kurukuru Futsal
Lai said the futsal programme needs more investment, a stronger focus on development and more opportunities to play regular international matches.
"Unless we move forward in a new direction, in terms of facilities, in terms of youth development and in terms of international competition and tournaments I think if there's no change we're going to be always the same," he said.
"We need to reinvest in futsal. Put more money in futsal, that's the bottom line."
Solomon Islands were given NZ$50,000 towards their World Cup preparations, after winning the Oceania Championship.
Solomon Islands in action against Malta. Photo: Solomon Kurukuru Futsal
That paid for a month-long training camp in Poland and Croatia, but Lai said more support is needed to compete at the elite level.
"I think we should look at the elite programmes in OFC - put more money for the nations which deserve to when they're in a higher level in the elite programmes," he said.
"The bigger nations that get results should be more looked after so we should compete more closer to Asia and South America and Europe because we need more competition."
Solomon Islands Football Federation President William Lai. Photo: Oceania Football
Solomon Islands have dominated futsal in Oceania since Australia moved to Asia 15 years ago. But William Lai said the gap at the top is closing.
"Everybody's catching up. In New Zealand they have maybe hundreds of indoor facilities - we are going to build one and for us one is long due but it's coming," he said.
"We're going to have more competition internally, try to attract more international countries to play in Honiara and at the same time we should also think about going to our nearest continent, AFC, for more games in Asia, I think that's cost effective.
"I think we need to do more if we are going to maintain to qualify for the next World Cup."
The construction of a long-awaited futsal facility in Honiara is one major piece in the puzzle.
The Kurukuru have competed in four consecutive world cups, despite not having a dedicated facility to play and train in.
The Kurukuru are waiting for the construction of a dedicated futsal facility in Honiara. Photo: SIFF Media
That will change, when the new multi-purpose hall being built by Indonesia is completed ahead of the 2023 Pacific Games.
President of the Solomon Islands Football Federation, William Lai, says they plan to host an international futsal tournament next year to celebrate the opening and five-time world champions Brazil are keen to take part.
"They are excited to come to Solomon Islands so we are planning to have an international tournament to open our arena," he said.
"They love the way we play and they're amazed that we don't have facilities but we still compete very highly.
"We are thinking of an eight-team tournament, over one week, and it could be an exciting, historic event."
William Lai says they've also spoken with teams from Europe and would love to have representatives from as many confederations as possible.
The Kurukuru spent eight weeks on the road to compete in the World Cup. Photo: SIFF Media
The Kurukuru squad departed Lithuania on Tuesday and are scheduled to arrive back in Solomon Islands on Friday afternoon, following stops in Frankfurt, Dubai and Brisbane.
After eight weeks on the road, Lai said they are looking forward to returning home and thanked the Australian government for giving them a travel exemption to bypass a stay in quarantine.
"We appreciate FIFA negotiating with the Australian government so we don't need to quarantine," he said.
"Our players and management they've been a long time from home, from their family...I think everyone is happy to go home."
However, the 22 players and management staff will have to spend three weeks in a managed quarantine hotel upon arrival in Honiara, as mandated by the Solomon Islands government.
