Welcome to Municipal Stadium, Port Vila, for this 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ qualifier between Vanuatu and Fiji.
Todays match brings an end to the careers of two highly decorated Vanuatu players, goalkeeper David Chilia and midfielder Kaison Maki.
Chilia has played for the Vanuatu national team 97 times since 1987 – from the U-16 side through to full national honours. His favourite career memory is being part of the Vanuatu side who beat the All Whites 4-2 in the 2004 OFC Nations Cup in Adelaide.
Maki played 28 times for Vanuatu and VFF will present a small gift for both players at half time.
LIVE UPDATES
0′ – The two teams have taken the field at Municipal Stadium and are awaiting the national anthems. The crowd is close to a thousand and still coming in.
1′ – The match kicks off in hot and humid conditions in Vanuatu. Both sides make a lively start.
5′ – Fiji make a promising start and Roy Krishna finds some space to unleash a shot on goal but his right footed effort flys wide
10′ – Vanuatu are starting to settle into the match now and have put together a good spell of possession
16′ – Yellow Card – Pita Maki goes into the book for Vanuatu after a foul on Malakai Tiwa.
17′ – Neither side has been able to penetrate in behind the defence and there has been no clear goalscoring opportunities so far.
21′ – Fiji has made the better start to the match and are controlling the tempo of the game.
22′ – A small shower has come over Municipal Stadium and will be a refreshing lift for the players.
23′ – Vanuatu have a great chance to score as Joseph Namaraiu puts his shot just wide after some good build up play.
25′ – Fijian goalkeeper Benaminio Mateinaqara makes a great save from Joseph Namaraiu’s shot from inside the 18 yard box.
27′ – Vanuatu Keeper John Garae makes a timely save at the feet of Roy Krishna who did well to make room for himself in the box.
28′ – Yellow Card – Vanuatu’s Geoffrey Gete goes in the book for a bad tackle.
33′ – Maciu Dunadamu gets put through on goal for Fiji but his shot goes wide. Another good chance.
38′ – Substitution Fiji – Manueli Kalou is replaced by Samuela Vula
45′ – Halftime
The first half has finished in Port Vila with both sides unable to break the deadlock. Both goalkeepers have come up with some important saves at crucial times. It looks as though the match in Ba 4 days ago might be having an effect on both teams with some tired legs on display.
46′ – Second Half is underway in near perfect conditions
48′ – Roy Krishna is once again the danger man for Fiji as he fires another shot on target from just outside the box but it is straight at the Vanuatu keeper who does well to hold it.
50′ – RED CARD – Geoffrey Gete picks up his second yellow card for Vanuatu and is given his marching orders. Vanuatu now have a real challenge on their hands to try and hold out this Fijian attack with ten men.
57′ – GOAL – VANUATU 1 – FIJI 0 – Francois Sakama brings the game to life in the 57th minute with a goal against the run of play. The goal brings the Municpal Stadium crowd into life.
59′ – Substitution Vanuatu – Moise Poida is replaced by Fedy Vava
65′ – Substitution Fiji – Ronil Kumar replaced by Ranil Chand
65′ – Fijian Coach Carlos Buzzetti is trying to ring some changes to kick start this Fijian side – who need goals, and need them soon.
66′ – Yellow Card – Robert Tom goes in the book for Vanuatu
69′ – Substitution Vanuatu – Hubert Nake is replaced by Michell Kaitak
70′ – Malakai Tiwa turns and hits a firm low shot inside the Vanuatu penalty area but it drifts wide of the far post. Fiji are starting to pump up the pressure now.
77′ – Yellow Card – Malakai Tiwa picks up his first yellow
78′ –Substitution – Vanuatu – Pita Maki is replaced by Derek Malas
80′ – Henry Dyer fires a shot over the bar for Fiji. It has been the story of the match for them so far, unable to convert their opportunities.
83′ – Danger man Roy Krishna hits a well timed shot against the cross bar and the rebound is saved by the Vanuatu goalkeeper.
88′ – Fiji keep up the pressure but this Vanuatu defence wont buckle. They are determined to win this one.
90′ – Four minutes of time to be added on
90+2′ – GOAL – VANUATU 2 – FIJI 0 – Derek Malas makes sure of the three points for Vanuatu with a second goal in the dying minutes
90 +2′ – GOAL – VANUATU 2 FIJI 1 – Maciu Dunadamu pulls a late goal back for Fiji, but it is too little too late.
FULL TIME: Vanuatu’s ten men hold on to a well deserved win amidst a late flurry of goals.
VAN: 1. John Presley GARAE [gk]; 17. Geoffrey Lego GETE; 5. Roger JOE; 18. Robert TOM; 8. Pita David MAKI; 7. Moise POIDA (6. Fedy VAVA 59′); 13. Francois SAKAMA; 12. Joseph NAMARAIU; 10. Seimata CHILIA; 3. Ken MASAUVAKALO; 11. Hubert NAKE (15. Michell KAITAK 69′);
Substitutes: 2. Samson OBED; 4. Peter Shem TOA ; 9. Jean Nako NAPRAPOL ; 11. Jean Robert YELOU; 14. Jeffrey NIMANIAN; ;19. Derek MALAS; 20. Chikau MANSALE [gk]
Coach: William MALAS
Yellow Cards: 17. Geoffrey GETE (28′ 50′); 8. Pita MAKI (16′); 18. Robert TOM (66′);
Red Cards: 17. Geoffrey GETE (50′)
FIJ: 1. Benaminio MATEINAQARA [gk]; 2. Manueli KALOU (6. Samuela Vuluma VULA 38′); 3. Taniela Evo WAQA; 5. Esava NAQELECA; 8. Ronil KUMAR (7. Rajnil Ritesh CHAND 65′); 10. Roy KRISHNA; 11. Tuimasi MANUCA; 12. Henry DYER; 13. Maciu DUNADAMU; 16. Malakai TIWA [c]; 17. Malakai KAINIHEWE.
Substitutes: 4. Alvin SINGH; 9. Pita BALEITOGA; 14. Monit Vikash CHAND; 20. Boletawa FILIMONE [gk];
Yellow Cards: 16. Malakai Tiwa (77′)
Coach: Juan Carlos BUZZETTI
Injured: Simione TAMANISAU [gk].
Suspended: Osea VAKATALESAU.
Not Available: Peni FINAU; Alvin AVINESH; Shivan SAMI; 15. Salesh KUMAR
Referee: O’LEARY Peter (NZL)
Assistant Referee 1: BEST Brent Charles (NZL)
Assistant Referee 2: TARO Matthew (SOL)
Fourth Official: HESTER Michael (NZL)