The talented line-up features a number of players who have enjoyed impressive seasons in senior competition the TVL Premier League, such as Tupuji Imere striker Frank Silas. But there are injury clouds surrounding several key players and Poida is hoping they will be back to full fitness by the time of Vanuatu’s first match, against American Samoa on April 21.
A total of seven Pacific nations will take part in the tournament and have been divided into two groups, one featuring four teams and the other consisting of three.
Group A includes Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and American Samoa while Group B contains Solomon Islands, New Zealand and New Caledonia. There will be three days of action in the group stages and each day will feature three games. The teams in both groups will play each other once, with those in Group B also having one bye.
The top two sides in each group will then square off in the semi finals on Wednesday 27 April.
The 3rd/4th playoff and grand final will be held on Friday 29 April.
The winner of the OFC U-20 Championship will represent Oceania at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, which takes place in Colombia from July 29 to August 20.
Vanuatu squad for OFC U-20 Championship
Goalkeepers:
Seiloni IARUEL
Simon TOUSI
Defenders:
Dominique FRED
Willy Ola JIMMY
Brian KALTACK
Junia VAVA
Johnney TIRAENG
Lucien HINGE
Kevin SHEM
Midfielders:
Simo JOSEPH
Jackson TASSO
Yvong WILSON
Eddison STEPHEN
Pascal CHABOD
Moses MOLI-KALONTANG
Didier KALIP
Forwards:
Nemani ROQARA
Jean KALTACK
Rodrick NAUT
Frank SILAS
Officials:
Head coach: Moise POIDA
Assistant coach: Richard IWAI
Goalkeeping coach: Wilson AUGUST
Team manager: Stephen FELIX
Physio: George REGENVANU
Media officer: Harry ATISSON
For more on Vanuatu football go to www.vanuafoot.vu