Solomon Islands believe two international friendlies against New Caledonia will serve as the perfect preparation for their upcoming Football World Cup qualifiers.
Both teams reached the semi finals at the Oceania Nations Cup in June, enough to keep alive their hopes of reaching Russia 2018.
The Bonitos captain Henry Fa'arodo said there is excitement in camp with a handful of new caps in the team.
"It's pretty much a transition period as well for us. We're trying to build on the next few players coming up the ranks - we've got about 5-6 players coming in for the first time to play internationals," he said.
"The coaching staff and the coaching panels that we've come up with have decided to take some measures on players who are performing well and not performing well. I think some players missed out because they just didn't perform to what is expected.
Solomon Islands captain Henry Fa'arodo challenges for the ball against New Zealand at the OFC Nations Cup. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Solomon Island will take on Tahiti home and away next month in the third stage of Oceania World Cup qualifiers.
Henry Fa'arodo said that makes New Caledonia an ideal opponent over the coming days.
"We've been looking and doing some review with the New Caledonia team - at the same time having a look at the similarity between the two teams coming from the French influence and stuff so it'll help us in our preparation as well."
"It goes towards the (FIFA World) rankings and stuff as well so I think definitely we are continuing (wanting to be) getting good results but at the same time I think the coach is trying to, we've got a few new players coming in as well," he said.
"So I think it's just blending them in as well, which is a big thing for us, and getting them ready at this level of football as well which most of them are pretty new to it."
The first match is today at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara with the teams to meet again on Saturday.
