Today we are bringing you the latest on Vanuatu who will arrive in Auckland with the objective of preparing for the future and the 2015 Futsal World Cup qualifiers.
Vanuatu is a country where football remains a major sport with its national teams making regular appearances at OFC tournaments.
Futsal coach Louis Dominique has selected a young squad to give the players a solid experience at an international level in order to begin preparing for the FIFA Futsal World Cup qualifiers in 2015.
“We have a young team and they have to make the effort and prepare well to play against the Solomon Islands, New Zealand and Australia. It is hard work but they are doing well so far in training,” Dominique said.
Vanuatu are currently ranked outside of the top 100 in the world futsal rankings. They played their first international match in 1992 against Australia in Brisbane, a game they have lost 8-1. Despite their difficult debut, Vanuatu still believed in their skills and entered a side in the first OFC Futsal Championship four years later. The Gideons, as the side is nicknamed, finished runner-up at that event which remains their best result to date.
The futsal discipline is growing more and more throughout the country. It currently has 1,300 players registered and the eight Vanuatu provinces manage the development of the sport themselves, organising men’s, women’s and youth leagues.
With the assistance of FIFA and OFC, Vanuatu Football Federation continues to support development organising coaching and referee courses to increase the number of qualified coaches and referees in the country.
Despite a young squad, Vanuatu expects to take its chances and be a challenger against the bigger more noted nations come kick-off.
List of Pre-Squad of Vanuatu Futsal “Gideons”
Glen Masai, GK, (Tupuji Majik FC)
Evano Philip, GK, (T-United FC)
Gerome Lingtamat (Tanoa FC)
Ben Hungai (USIB FC)
Donald Avock (Number 3 Aveck FC)
Jacki John (Northern Star FC)
Albert Toe (Tanoa FC)
Pako Rakom (Tupuji Majik FC)
George Mahit (Number 3 Aveck FC)
Nalpini Iasi (Omega FC)
Mawor Bong (Westam United FC)
Dadley Dominique (Tanoa FC)
Bill Isaiah (Faith FC)
Falcon Joseph (Eastern Star FC)
Ijeh Ezenwa (Aims FC)
Jessy Tari (Tanoa FC)
To see the draw for the OFC Futsal Championship Invitational 2013 click here
For more on Vanuatu football go to www.vanuafoot.vu

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