Poida says that while the team will be without the services of top players Brian Kaltak and Nemani Roqara, who have chosen to remain with their club Solomon Warriors to prepare for the OFC Champions League, it has the depth to do well.
“You don’t want it to happen but it does happen, when club commitment becomes the priority, and there’s nothing you can do about it,” Poida says.
“At the end of the day I have had to make a serious decision and we have replaced those players and I have faith in my new young team who are willing to represent their country.”
He says that while some fans may not regard Vanuatu as a favourite in the tournament, he is convinced his side has the depth to compete strongly against Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia.
Vanuatu will encounter hosts Fiji in their opening match and Moida believes it is this side who will pose the toughest challenge for his team.
“Fiji will be more of a threat to us compared with New Zealand,” he says.
“We beat the Fiji U-20 team twice in 2011 during the previous tournament in New Zealand, but this time I cannot be certain that we can beat Fiji. We know they will be very tough to beat on their home turf.
“We respect our Melanesian brothers but anything can happen during the game and we will stick to playing our own unique style of football.”
The Vanuatu U-20 team arrived in Fiji on Sunday and had their first training session in match conditions yesterday.
They will play hosts Fiji in the opening match of the tournament at 2pm on Thursday, 21 March at Churchill Park in Lautoka.
For more on Vanuatu football go to www.vanuafoot.vu

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