Solomon Islands: Warriors’ Kohei Matsumoto departs home

Japanese winger Kohei Matsumoto has commenced his journey back home, concluding a remarkable stint with the Telekom Super League (TSL) reigning champions, Solomon Warriors FC. His tenure with the club, which included participation in the TSL 2024 season and the recent Oceania Champions League (OCL24) in Tahiti, was marked by impressive performances and notable contributions.

Matsumoto joined Warriors in March bringing his extensive experience in Pacific football to the Solomon Islands. He previously played for clubs in New Zealand, Fiji, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia, which helped him adapt quickly to the intensity of the country’s top-flight football league. In his final appearance for the Warriors, Matsumoto scored a spectacular free-kick against SOSA FC in the Telekom S-League, capping off his tenure with a memorable moment that highlighted his technical prowess. His contributions in the first part of the season included assists and goals over five games, despite the team facing challenges in the OCL campaign in Tahiti.

Speaking to Island Sun, Matsumoto expressed his gratitude to Solomon Warriors and his optimism for the future. “The team is good both technically and individually. We were unlucky in the OCL, but with better luck, we could have achieved good results. I believe the experience gained will help the team perform better in the next OCL if they win the TSL this season,” he said. He also conveyed a strong interest in returning to the Warriors next year, citing his enjoyment of the competitive football style in the Solomon Islands. Matsumoto’s career spans numerous clubs and leagues.

Before joining the Solomon Warriors, he played in Japan’s Professional League and had a stint with Hamilton Wanderers FC in New Zealand. His Pacific adventures included playing for Rewa FC in Fiji, Hawke’s Bay and Auckland City in New Zealand, and Hienghène Sport in New Caledonia, among others. Notably, he participated in the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup with Hienghène Sport and the 2017 OFC Champions League with Rewa FC.