Solomon Islands is a pacific island nation known
for its vibrant sporting culture and one of the sporting events that Solomon
Islanders are so interested in is football. For many years, Solomon Islands
have enjoyed some competition football years in the pacific and although
Australia and New Zealand have always been the top nations, Solomon Islands is
always a force to reckon with when it comes to football. In the recent years,
the development of the smaller code of football known as futsal have taken the
pacific by storm. The Solomon Islands are regarded as the “Brazilians of the
pacific” when it comes to this code of football. Skillful, mesmerizing and
creative were just some of the words given to express how good Solomon Islands
were in the game of futsal.
For many Solomon Islanders, futsal is a game
which brings joy and happiness having the opportunity to watch their local
heroes take on the big names in the world. For one particular individual,
futsal is his life and he has made a remarkable name for himself and his
country by scoring Solomon Islands winning goal against Guatemala in their last
world cup game in the 2012 FIFA Futsal World cup edition in Thailand. Anthony
Talo who hails from Malaita Province is one of the most incredible and talented
goal keepers in the modern Solomon Islands football generation. He has featured
in the Beach Soccer world cup as a player, played goal keeper for Solomon
Islands 2015 club champions Solomon Warriors who also represented Solomon
Islands in the Oceania Club Champions and is the former number one goal keeper for
Solomon Islands futsal team known as Kurukuru. A young lad but already have
achieved more than average Solomon Islands footballers have achieved. He was
truly on a verge of making some remarkable history for Solomon Islands in
Columbia when something unexpected happened and the nation was in shocked as
Anthony Talo decided to depart the team days before the futsal world cup in Columbia.
Many Solomon Islanders wonder what actually
happened to this young talent and many rumors and even false stories have been
circulating the Solomon Islands and even the social media. Anthony Talo watched
secretly and supported his fellow country men in the Kurukuru team as they endured a
very positive tournament indeed. Now Mr Talo have confidence and I was lucky to
do this interview with the goal keeper himself.
What is
futsal for you and how do you feel to be one of the best goal keepers in
Solomon Islands?
Futsal to me is a game of skills and creativity, it
involves a lot of quick decisions and also good communication. I love futsal
because it is similar to another game I play which is beach soccer. I am humbled
when people think of me as the best goal keeper in Solomon Islands because for
me, I just wanted to play and enjoy myself.
What
was the reason behind your sudden departure from Kurukuru?
First of all, to all the people reading this
interview. I love Kurukuru and I love Solomon Islands but the reason I left the
team was something I feel is right at that particular time and it is quite
personal to me. I apologies for not openly say it out during my leave because
it was something personal. I had an argument at home and it affected me a lot.
It started to show when we have our friendly match against Australia, I wasn’t
performing to my best because I was sick as a result of the argument I have in
my home. I apologies but it is too personal so that is all I can say.
How did
you approach the team management to leave?
I have simply told the team management that for
the good of the team, I have to leave the team. I was not performing well and I
know I would not be able to perform 100% in the world cup which would be a sad
thing for me and most importantly, I do love my team and do not wish to disturb
the team with my issue. I have done what I believe is right and asked to leave.
The team management did everything to try and persuade me and I respected them
but this personal reason was something worth solving before the world cup so I
have decided to return and they respected my decision too.
How did
SIFF reacted to this sudden move by you?
Well, I guess they have done what any other
footballing body would’ve done. I have explained to them my situation and
everything according to my understanding and I was hoping for something good
but they have issued me a letter for me to retire from International duties as a player and so I have obliged to sign it because I do not have any other options
for me. It is sad and I feel really sad too, I do not blame anyone but what
happened to me is something that just did and I have no control over it. I
thought I did the right thing.
What is
your apology to the Loving futsal fans from Solomon Islands?
I know a lot of people do not get the reason
behind my departure and for some reason have already hated me. I hereby humbly apologize
and ask for the Solomon Islands public to forgive me for what I have done
especially not going with the team to the FIFA World cup in Columbia. I shed tears about it too but I have to attend to my problem because I also have the
right intention for Kurukuru to perform well without any interference. I am so
sorry Solomon Islands.
What
are your future plans?
For me personally, football, beach soccer and
futsal were my three major contributing factor to the nation. If I am not
allowed to play internationally, I would definitely be involved in football and
play domestically in the club level and look to develop other future prospects.
I would love to play again for Solomon Islands but unfortunately I won’t be
able to do so anymore. God bless.
In conclusion to the interview, It is quite sad
to see this young lad pause for a minute and then smiled again and we continue
our conversation. Anthony Talo was laying it all on the floor and he is quite
sad to not be able to represent Solomon Islands again in the international
level but he encouraged young youths to follow their dreams and make right decisions all the time. Sometimes things will not be 100% acceptable but if it
is something that will benefit you then do take it.
For Solomon Islands, this recent world cup was a
sign for the government and football body to work together and establish a
proper futsal home so that some more future talented goal keepers can be trained
and conditioned for the future of the game.
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ReplyDeletewow..the lad explain he had personal issues. Why does SIFF gave him a resignation letter from international games knowing his competency. His reason seem genuine enough, would there be any other action SIFF would have taken instead of that ultimatum?
ReplyDeleteThe SIFF shouldn't do that,the fact that we don't have enough players like him...there are lot of player out side but they don't have opportunity..but if the SIFF do that then find another solution for it...heads up talo you still the best....
ReplyDeleteAll the very best in your future plans Talo, wish you well
ReplyDeleteSIFF not careful made their decisions against this young guy. RESPECT people's right is most important. If SIFF can't handle this little decision, how comes he can maintain and respect all our Football player and nation. Bae umi improve or Seleni finish lo ufala lo SIFF ya.
ReplyDeleteWhat i can call .. Football scandal in the happy isles....
ReplyDeleteTalo to me is the victim of here
He had to do what he knew and believed to be the right thing to do for the good of the Team. Otherwise, like he said, he won't be playing well and that will cost the team as well. But SIFF should reconsider their actions. The problem won't last forever, he could come back and play when the time is right. All the best to you A.Talo. You still the best goal keeper for Solomon Islands.
ReplyDeleteHe had to do what he knew and believed to be the right thing to do for the good of the Team. Otherwise, like he said, he won't be playing well and that will cost the team as well. But SIFF should reconsider their actions. The problem won't last forever, he could come back and play when the time is right. All the best to you A.Talo. You still the best goal keeper for Solomon Islands.
ReplyDeleteThere have been many different stories being issued by the public and one particular one that have caught a lot of attention is the mentioning of WESTERN UNITED paying Anthony Talo to go back home and play for them instead of playing for the national team. This is somehow not really fundamental and is just a pure non sense. Anthony Talo would never gave up on national duty if it was for money. He is a true Solomon Islander and because of his conviction and issue, he have decided to leave the team in knowing that he will positively impact the team because he will face his problem by himself.
ReplyDeleteSIFF don't be so hard on Talo, suspension should be the right code of discipline not Retiring Talo for good. Talo so far the top keeper in both codes luv to see Him featured for Sols again.
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ReplyDeleteThe real reason surrounding Anthony Talo's departure is entirely a personal reason. Due to this personal reason, he has left the team before the world. In recognition to this earlier depature, SIFF have cancelled Anthony Talo's payment and have asked for him to repay the amount. Anthony unfortunately as a average Solomon Islander finds it difficult to deal with this and have no time to raise such amount of money. He then explained his situation so SIFF have banned him from all International matches. Whether is retiring or not we are not sure at this particular stage.
ReplyDeleteWished SIFF should have any other genuine options other than banning Talo.
ReplyDeleteHe is by far one of the best goal keepers Solomon Islands ever produced.
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ReplyDelete