Vanuatu coach Saby Natonga has selected a squad of 17 players for the matches, which will take place at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara on July 7 and 9.
The line-up is notable for the omission of several well-known faces as Natonga looks to inject some fresh talent ahead of the Games campaign. Amicale duo Fenedy Masauvakalo and Derek Malas are both missing from the list, as are Tafea trio Francois Sakama, Fredy Vava and Daniel Natou.
Filling one of the spots left vacant by the changes is midfielder Eddison Stephen, who was a key figure for his country as Vanuatu finished third at the OFC U-20 Championship in Auckland in April.
The squad has been trimmed down from a larger group of 29 named last month by Natonga and is dominated by the country’s leading National Super League clubs. Domestic champions and 2011 O-League runners-up Amicale have six players involved while Tafea and Spirit 08 have three each.
Stephen’s national U-20 team mates Lucien Hinge, Brian Kaltack and Jean Kaltack were all named in the wider squad but have not been included in the reduced version.
After doing battle with their fellow Melanesians in Honiara, Natonga’s men will host the Solomon Islands for two further matches in Port Vila on July 27 and 30.
Vanuatu squad for friendlies
Goalkeepers
Ernest BONG (Amicale)
Altred MALAS (Tafea)
Defenders
Alphonse BONGNAIM (Amicale)
Selwyn SESE ALA (Amicale)
Andrew CHICHIRUA (Tafea)
Rexley TARIVUTI (Spirit 08)
Midfielders
Robert YELOU ( Amicale)
Michel KALTACK (Tafea)
Seimata CHILLIA (Amicale)
Tari RICKSON (Spirit 08)
Eddison STEPHEN (Academy)
Strikers
Robert TASSO (Spirit 08)
George MEREN TABE (Siagara FC Santo)
Kensi TANGIS (Milo FC Santo)
Rodney SERVEUX (Tupuji Imere)
Daniel MICHEL (Shepherds United)
Richard GARAE (Amicale)
Officials
Head coach: Saby NATONGA
Assistant coach: Philemon JOHN
Physio: George REGENVANU
For more on Vanuatu football go to www.vanuafoot.vu