The first match was a close encounter, despite Vanautu’s U-23 squad easing to a 2-0 lead in relatively swift fashion.
For round two New Caledonia are keen to prove they’re on the right track to defend their Pacific Games title, and coach Thierry Sardo is keen to see as many players as possible ahead of July’s competition.
“We’re going to practically change the 11 starters, I would say about 80 per cent, so we can see all of them,” Sardo explains.
“In the 23 that we have here for these two matches against Vanuatu, four of them are reserves, as three players will arrive from France for the Games along with Mickael Partodikromo who is playing in New Zealand and who we hope will be part of the team.”
Sardo says already after just one competitive match it’s clear that more work needs to be done by the team.
“We need to see more structure in our game, with greater speed on the flanks. Sunday our game was too direct. For two days we’ve been working on a tighter game, on better use of the ball.
“We’re hoping to find better fluidity in the middle tonight, and then to be more efficient in front.
For VFF technical director Peter Takaro it’s another opportunity to refine Vanuatu’s game further and build on the success of the first match.
“Our boys are all good and are ready for the match tonight,” he says.
“The match on Sunday was outstanding, except for a few errors when we were defending which led to the two goals we conceded, but we are ready again now.
“New Caledonia have great technique and we must have an attacking approach against them tonight if we want to win our second friendly against them.
New Caledonia U-23 and Vanautu U-23 will play the second of a two match international friendly series at Stade Numa Daly this evening at 7pm.
For more on New Caledonia football visit www.fedcalfoot.com
For more on Vanuatu football visit www.vanuafoot.vu.