A defiant ten-man Vanuatu side wrapped up their 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ qualifying campaign in style today by defeating Fiji 2-1 at Municipal Stadium in Port Vila.

Though the result does not change their bottom place standing in the OFC Nations Cup, the result will please the local faithful and bring a happy end to what has been a difficult campaign for Vanuatu.

After a tense first half the match spring into life when Geoffrey Gete was given his marching orders for a second bookable offense in the 50th minute.

The red card didn’t deter any attacking inclination from the Vanuatu side and they were rewarded when Francois Sakama pounced on a loose ball inside the Fiji box to open the scoring in the 57th minute.

Fiji danger man Roy Krishna went close for the visiting side in the 80th minute hitting the crossbar late in the game and looked the most likely player to get Fiji on the board. But their lack of clinical finishing proved costly with Dunadamu, Tiwa, Krishna and Dyer all firing high and wide.

Vanuatu put the result out of question in the 90th minute when substitute Derek Malas made it 2-0 with a well taken goal. Fiji replied one minute later when Dunadamu pulled one back with the last kick of the game but it was too little too late.

For Vanuatu it was a fitting goodbye to two highly decorated players, goalkeeper David Chilia and midfielder Kaison Maki who announced their international retirement.

Chilia has played for the Vanuatu national team 97 times since 1987 – from the U-16 side through to full national honours while Maki has 28 caps.

Fiji will wrap up their OFC Nations Cup campaign when they face New Zealand in Fiji on November 19.

2010 FIFA WORLD CUP SOUTH AFRICA ™ QUALIFIERS STANDINGS

PL W D L GF GA GD PTS
1. New Zealand 4 4 0 0 11 4    +7 12
2. New Caledonia 5 2 2 1 12 7    +5 8
4. Fiji 5 1 1 3 6 11    -5 4
3. Vanuatu 6 1 1 4 5 13    -8 4

VAN: 1. John Presley GARAE [gk]; 17. Geoffrey Lego GETE; 5. Roger JOE; 18. Robert TOM; 8. Pita David MAKI (19. Derek MALAS 78′) ; 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; 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′)

Goals: 13. Francois SAKAMA (57′); 19. Derek MALAS (90′)

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

Goals: 13. Maciu Dunadamu (90 +2)

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)