The Vanuatu Football Federation (VFF) announced the make up of the squad this week at the Teouma Academy, where coach Richard Iwai and the rest of his management team have been putting the training group through its paces for the last few months.
The 20-strong set of players is arguably the strongest ever put together in Vanuatu for this age group and the talent-packed nature of the squad has led to the ‘Dream Team’ tagging.
The Oceania qualifiers are set to take place at Owen Delany Stadium in Taupo, New Zealand from March 16 to 24 and Vanuatu will prepare for the tournament with a two-week training camp in the Australian city of Brisbane en route to New Zealand.
Iwai’s young charges have been drawn in the four-team Group A for Taupo and will face Solomon Islands, Fiji and American Samoa. Group B consists of three teams – hosts New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Tonga.
The top two teams from each group will go through to the semi-finals before the Oceania qualifier is found with a winner-takes-all final.
Vanuatu squad for Olympic qualifiers
Bernard DANIEL (Spirit 08)
Dominique FRED (Shepherds United)
Lucien HINGE (Tafea)
Selonie IARUEL (Tafea)
Kevin IATA (Tafea)
Didier KALIP (Spirit 08)
Barry KALPOVI (Tupuji Imere)
Brian KALTACK (Erakor Golden Star, PNG)
Jean KALTACK (Erakor Golden Star, PNG)
Roddy LENGA (Amicale)
Octav MELTECOIN (Spirit 08)
Sailas NAMATAK (Tafea)
Willie SIRI (Spirit 08)
Johnny TIRAENG (Amicale)
Willie OLA JIMMY (Shepherds United)
Eddison STEPHEN (Shepherds United)
Kensi TANGIS (Amicale)
Robert TASSO (Spirit 08)
Junia VAVA (Seveners United)
Ivong WILSON (Shepherds United)
Non-travelling reserves:
Malon KALTANAK (Tupuji Imere)
Rodney SERVEUX (Tupuji Imere)
Tousi SIMON (Siwi)
Management team:
Coach: Richard IWAI
Assistant Coach: Obed JIMMY
Technical Advisor: Christian CHOSSON
Team Manager/Media Officer: Harry ATISSON
For more on Vanuatu football go to www.vanuafoot.vu

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