They trained for six weeks on a concrete court but now the Solomon Islands Junior Kurukuru team will play on the courts of ANU Sports Centre at the 2020 FFA National Futsal Championships.

The 10 boys from Solomon Islands touched down in Canberra on Sunday evening, prepared to compete against teams from Capital Football, NSW Football, Football SA and Football West in Group B of the U14 Boys Championship.

The team was selected from the Solomon Island’s School Junior Futsal league known as the Bulk Shop Junior Futsal League and underwent six weeks of training.

But instead of training on a futsal court, the team was forced to train on a very small concrete netball court because their multipurpose hall was under maintenance.

Solomon Islands Sports Coalition president Nathanial Seru, who traveled with the squad, said that his side is ready to compete despite their tough preparation.

“We are well prepared to compete with the best Australian futsal players who will be representing their states in the under 14 category,” Seru said. “We are very much looking forward to reaching the finals.

“Back home in the Solomon Islands people are following us and everyone looking forward to hear some positive result from all our games and we want to put smiles on their faces.”

Coach Caleb Fox believes his young side has what it takes to take out the title in the nation’s capital.

“We have been working hard for this tournament and I am confident my boys will compete against best state teams in our category,” Fox said.

“Most of my boys played in the past FFA National Futsal Championships in the U12 category so we have the experience to do well.”

The Solomon Islands U14 side will begin the competition with a tough encounter against Football NSW Metro Lightning on Monday morning at ANU Sports Centre.