The average temperature in Luganville in Vanuatu couldn’t be more different from Milwaukee in the United States.
With the mercury soaring into the 30s and humidity reaching fever pitch this week, Luganville is a scorching location, whereas Milwaukee endures an annual five-month stretch where the temperature dips below 10 degrees and snow is prevalent.
Lautoka FC’s goalkeeper Liam Anderson has dealt with the cool climes of Milwaukee but is still adjusting to the searing heat of Luganville.
Anderson spent two years playing football – staunchly known as soccer in the United States – for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee from 2013-2014.
He still has a few papers to go to finish up his accounting degree, but Vanuatu is certainly a contrasting location to where he has played previously.
“It’s a really, really cool experience to come out to one of these places and I’ve never really played this type of football before,” he said.
“So, it’s going to be really interesting and I think there’s probably going to be some problem-solving for me early on.”
Anderson’s addition to the Fijian club’s ranks was orchestrated via his flatmate in Auckland, Jack Caunter, who will play in defence for Lautoka.
The pair will be doing their best to help Lautoka qualify for the quarter-finals of the OFC Champions League and their Group B journey begins on Saturday when they meet the Malampa Revivors FC at Luganville Soccer City Stadium.
While this weekend’s game will serve as Anderson’s Champions League debut, he has been around this level of football having previously being on the books at Auckland City as a teenager.
He also went to the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico in 2011 as part of a New Zealand squad that included future All Whites Bill Tuiloma, Kip Colvey and Luke Adams.
Anderson, 25, played his club football in Auckland for Three Kings United in recent years but is set to join Forrest Hill Milford AFC as their No 1 gloveman this season.
But before he can think too far ahead, he has a job to do for Lautoka, providing he can find his groove in the Luganville heat.
“It’s very hot and I’m not used to it, but I’m going to have to get used to it pretty quickly.”
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