The result is a significant one as it is Vanuatu’s first success of the series – two of the three earlier matches ended in scoreless draws while the other was a 2-1 win for Solomon Islands – and gives the players a welcome confidence boost ahead of the upcoming Pacific Games.
They have promising striker Yvong August and Milo FC star Kensi Tangis to thank after the pair both found the net to give Vanuatu a 2-0 win in front of 3,000 fans at PVL Stadium in Port Vila.
The match was timed to coincide with Vanuatu’s 31st Independence Anniversary and the action was fitting of the occasion as the sides put on an entertaining spectacle.
The balance of play was fairly even throughout but it was the home side that very nearly gained the early advantage, Solomon goalkeeper Shadrack Ramoni pulling off a good save to deny August in the ninth minute. The gloveman repeated the trick just a minute later from a Tangis effort to keep the scores level.
The Bonitos soon began to make their experience pay though and carved out opportunities for George Suri, Michael Fifi’i and Joe Luwi before the half-time break. But Vanuatu goalkeeper Joel Nakapue was in inspired form and his saves, coupled with another Ramoni block from August, kept the scorers out of action for the remainder of the half.
They had plenty to do in the 52nd minute though when August finally converted one of his chances – the third to come his way in the opening hour of the match – to leave the Bonitos with plenty of work to do.
It was a task that proved out of the visitors’ reach and their fate was sealed with just under a quarter of an hour remaining, Tangis putting his country 2-0 ahead to the delight of the Port Vila faithful.
August’s goal was just the second of his burgeoning senior international career and he was delighted with how the afternoon panned out.
“The coach told us to play with our hearts from the start of the match right to the end,” he said. “I am really happy to have scored against one of the best teams in Oceania.”
Vanuatu coach Saby Natonga was pleased to have finally gotten the better of the Bonitos at the fourth attempt and paid tribute to the determination of his players.
“I must thank the boys for working so hard today,” he said. “It has been a really tough task to use only young players in the team but today they showed the public they deserve to play for Vanuatu. I’m very proud of them.”
International friendlies
Vanuatu: 2 (Yvong AUGUST 52’, Kensi TANGIS 76’)
Solomon Islands: 0
Saturday 30 July
PVL Stadium
Port Vila, Vanuatu
Vanuatu: 0
Solomon Islands: 0
Wednesday 27 July
PVL Stadium
Port Vila, Vanuatu
Solomon Islands: 2 (Joe LUWI 61′, Benjamin TOTORI 64′)
Vanuatu: 1 (Daniel MICHEL 89′)
Saturday 9 July
Lawson Tama Stadium
Honiara, Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands: 0
Vanuatu: 0
Thursday 7 July
Lawson Tama Stadium
Honiara, Solomon Islands