The key striker was in doubt for the match against Hekari United after suffering a groin injury in training last Tuesday and was left out of Amicale’s TVL Premier League clash with Spirit 08 last weekend.
His team mates missed their talisman and could only muster a scoreless draw.
Early indications had been that Masauvakalo would need another two to three weeks to recover and would not be able to play any role against the Papua New Guinea champions at PVL Stadium.
But physio Regenvanu has worked wonders on the injury and is confident the 2011 O-League Golden Boot will be fit enough to terrorise the Hekari defence.
“I think he will be able to play,” he says. “We gave him a rest last weekend and that has allowed him to recover well.”
Fellow forward Joachim Waroi has also been under an injury cloud but Regenvanu says the Solomon Islander should likewise be in good enough shape to make the starting line-up.
“We are hoping both players will be back on top form,” he says.
In further bad news for Hekari, it has emerged that major off-season signing Jean Kaltack cannot play any role in both Saturday’s game and the rest of the season.
As he is under the age of 18, the Vanuatu international is deemed a minor and is therefore prevented from transferring to an overseas club by FIFA regulations.
The loss of Kaltack is a major blow as the 17-year-old is one of the brightest prospects in the Pacific and has been in fine goalscoring form in recent months. But there is still plenty of attacking prowess within the Hekari ranks in the form of local hero Kema Jack, Eric Komeng and Niel Hans.
This fixture finished 3-3 in thrilling fashion last season and there is likely to be no shortage of entertainment again for the thousands of fans set to pack into PVL Stadium to enjoy.
Both outfits play an attacking brand of football and have contrasting motivations to get their respective campaigns off to a good start.
Amicale are looking to prove last year’s surprise runners-up placing was no fluke while Hekari will be keen to re-establish themselves as a force after following their 2010 O-League title win with a bottom-placed group finish.
Last season’s form and home advantage suggest Amicale go in as warm favourites and Hekari’s task has been made even harder by the loss of Kaltack and several other foreign recruits.
Fijian internationals Maciu Dunadamu, Taniela Waqa and Pita Bolatoga have not joined the team yet as they still have club commitments in their homeland, leaving coach Jerry Allen with no option but to field a side made up almost entirely of Papua New Guinea players.
The only exceptions are Solomon Islander Clifton Aumae and Vanuatu’s John Namani, who will be eager to make his homecoming a winning one.
2012 O-League Match Day 1
Amicale vs. Hekari United
Saturday 29 October
PVL Stadium
Port Vila, Vanuatu
Local kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Peter O’LEARY [NZL]
Assistant referee 1: Michael JOSEPH [VAN]
Assistant referee 2: Alick LUKAI [VAN]
Fourth official: Bruce GEORGE [VAN]
Amicale: 1. Enest BONG [GK], 2. Rexley TARIVUTI, 3. Young PAUL, 5. Richard ANISUA, 6. Nelson Sale KILIFA, 7. Jean-Robert YELOU, 8. Freskip VATU, 9. Dereck MALAS, 10. Joachim WAROI, 11. Fenedy MASAUVAKALO, 13. Gibson DAUDAU, 15. Alphonse BONGNAIM, 17. Joe LUWI, 19. Johnney TIRAENG, 23. Edika MAETA, 26. Alick MAEMAE, 27. Jack WETNEY, 33. Joel NAKAPUE [GK]
Coach: Luke EROI
Hekari United: 1. Leslie KALAI [GK], 2. Daniel JOE, 4. Trevor IRE, 5. John NAMANI, 6. Samuel KINI, 7. Raymond GUNEMBA, 9. Nigel DABINGYABA, 10. Wira WAMA, 12. David MUTA, 13. Andrew LEPANI, 14. Niel HANS, 17. Kema JACK, 18. Eric KOMENG, 19. Koriak UPAIGA, 21. Clifton AUMAE, 22. Godfrey BANIAU [GK]
Coach: Jerry ALLEN
For more on Vanuatu football go to www.vanuafoot.vu

Share