The national senior men’s football team have returned from Punta Arenas after winning two out of their three games, in their first visit to the region in over two decades.
The squad opened their campaign against defending league champions C.D. Penguinos. After falling two goals behind, the Warrahs regrouped just on the hour mark, as debutant Mark McManus and Shaun East scored a goal each in quick succession to bring the game level. Despite continued pressure from the visitors, the game remained a stalemate by the full-time whistle forcing a penalty shootout. For goalkeeper Blake Benjamin, one of the youngest members of the squad, it was to be his evening as he made the divisive save to seal victory, four penalties to three.
Two days later, manager Dan Biggs made just the one change trusting the fitness and stamina of his players as the Falklands squared up against the historic C.D. Libertad. After a rather uneventful first half with few notable chances, it was Ethan George who broke the deadlock, as his powerful strike put the visitors in the driving seat moving into the latter stages of the game. Despite Shaun East being shown a straight red card for a dangerous challenge, the Warrahs were able to hold on and secured the first ever victory in normal time in the region.
The final fixture would prove the toughest test, facing the defending regional champions Sokol Croata. The hosts showed their tactical ability playing a 4-1-4-1 formation, allowing Sokol to catch the Falklands out of position, and create space in what was a tightly compacted defensive line. This paid off for Sokol as Francisco Aguilar opened his account. Nevertheless, the Falklands hit back and equalised through Matt Francis, who converted from the spot. The equaliser was short-lived however as minutes later, Eric Fuentes, put the hosts in front following a strike from the edge of the box on the stroke of half time.
The 2026 men’s football team who travelled to Punta Arenas in May.
A roll of the dice for Dan Biggs, who made two important changes at the break; experienced defender Dan Steer came on to bolster the Falklands defensive line, and winger Jeyson Monsefu aiming to utilise his pace on the left flank to grab an equaliser.
Despite a promising start to the half, the Warrahs were reduced to 10 men as Ethan Gilson-Clarke was shown a second yellow card and sent off, inflicting a mammoth task for the Falklands. The defensive unit which had repelled numerous Sokol attacks finally fractured as a free header at short range from Fuentes ensured total victory for Sokol Croata three goals to one.
A closing defeat, but plenty of positives to take from the tour as a whole as manager Dan Biggs spoke after the game
“We didn’t really know what to expect… but we’ve really stepped up to it, and played some really good football and I couldn’t be happier”
International tours of this kind are rare as the Falklands isn’t affiliated with FIFA or Conmebol the international and regional governing bodies of football. Having joined the International Island Games Association in 1993, the Falklands are eligible to compete at the biannual Island Games competition. Biggs commented on the importance of tour for preparations for the next island games
“It gives everybody that opportunity to play at that higher level and show that they can compete so when we go to the games next year, we can hit the ground running”
The next games are the 2027 Bitri Island Games hosted in Faroe Islands and with football already confirmed as a competing sport, the islands will be looking to emulate their previous bronze medal winning performance in 2013.
