A dream of playing in a World Cup is a step closer for two Whangarei-based Solomon Islands football players after both were selected to represent their country in two qualifier matches.
Kamo players Calvin Erick, 34, and Sammy Oso, 29, fly out to Tahiti tomorrow where Solomon Islands will play the French Polynesians in a World Cup qualifier on Sunday.
Both started with Kamo before moving to North Force then back to Kamo.
Solomon Islands host the All Whites after Tahiti but Erick and Oso are not sure whether they would be able to stick around for that match.
It is the first time both players have been selected to play for their country.
Oso is looking forward to partnering Wellington Phoenix striker Benjamin Totori up front if selected for this weekend's match and said he was raring to go.
"I've been playing soccer since childhood and it's a sport I love playing and to play in a World Cup qualifier, knowing I can help my country qualify, is a dream come true," said the Whangarei road marker.
Oso said he had a gut feeling he'd be chosen as selectors had kept an eye on his play in Whangarei as well as during club matches in Honiara.
At 34, Erick is a late bloomer but said age was no barrier to competing at an international level.
"I am so excited. Some boys had been saying to me years ago that I should play for my country but I said one day I will and that day has arrived," said the midfielder.
"Every time I see the All Whites competing at the World Cup, I wish I was there playing and hopefully we do well and qualify for the big stage," he said.
Erick enrolled at Whangarei Boys' High School in 1997 under the Aotearoa scholarship and played for the school and Kamo over the years.
Tahiti would be a tough customer as they won the Confederations Cup last year but Erick said Solomon Islands had a good squad and should do well.
"Especially after the tsunami lately, we aim to do well and make my fellow countrymen proud," he said.
The duo joined Totori and 10 other New Zealand-based players for a training session in Auckland yesterday before they fly out tomorrow.
Solomon Islands national teams in football and related sports such as futsal and beach soccer have proved among the most successful in Oceania.
The national football team became the first team to beat New Zealand in qualifying for a play-off spot against Australia for qualification to the World Cup in 2006.
They were subsequently defeated by Australia.