PORT VILA – Vanuatu coach Robert Calvo says he is “hopeful” his country can cause another World Cup upset against New Zealand despite the suspension and loss of form of key players
ahead of today’s clash with Ricki Herbert’s New Zealand All Whites.
Etienne Mermer, Richard Iwai and Jean Maleb find themselves left out of Calvo’s 18-man squad with Philip Tom Tomake and the influential playmaker Francois Sakama absent after picking
up yellow cards during the XIII South Pacific Games Men’s football tournament.
Sakama’s loss cannot be underestimated with the attacking midfielder achieving almost legendary status in Vanuatu after his rasping goal against Solomon Islands in the bronze medal
match back in August was described as goal of the tournament by local observers. And it’s not just Sakama’s deadly finishing that will be missed, it will also be the youngster’s ability to link
play from front to back with his impressive range of passing.
Calvo will rely on the experience of Ken Masauvakalo, Fenedy Masauvakalo, skipper Fedy Vava and lightening-quick Suva striker Seule Soromon – who topped the XIII South Pacific Games
goalscoring charts in Samoa – if his team is to earn a point against a New Zealand side missing Ryan Nelsen and Chris Killen.
Ivan Vicelich emerges as New Zealand’s most experienced player with the 61-cap defensive midfielder likely to play a key role in his team’s search for another vital away win on the
road to South Africa. Vicelich’s role remains unclear with the Dutch-based All White able to fulfill a role at centre back or in the middle of midfield.
Wellington Phoenix striker Shane Smeltz will be asked to continue his red-hot form with Chris Killen’s absence leading to a call-up for uncapped Team Wellington striker Daniel
Ellensohn. Jarrod Smith is another of Herbert’s striking options with the Hawkes Bay United frontman yet to score at international level in nine previous outings.
Herbert’s team remain favourites to at least take a point from this Port Vila mission but the prospect of playing in front of a local crowd expected to number anywhere between
6-10,000 will be an ominous prospect with the match the biggest sporting event in Vanuatu history since the hosting of the South Pacific mini-games several years ago.
The major talking point of the week has been about the state of the Port Vila venue. However due to the diligence of the Vanuatu Football Federation (VFF), Vanuatu Government, New
Zealand High Commission and local businesses, the stadium appears to have undergone a remarkable transformation which has won the approval of both camps ahead of kick-off.
Interview with Vanuatu coach Robert Calvo
Interview with New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert
Interview with New Zealand striker Shane Smeltz
OFC Media in association with ABC Radio Australia will bring live coverage of Vanuatu vs. New Zealand from 1355hrs (VT*)/1555hrs(NZT**) with Australian commentator Brendon Telfer
describing the action.
For live coverage of the match click here
OFC Nations Cup/2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Qualifier
Saturday 17th November 2007
Vanuatu vs. New Zealand
At Port Vila Municipal Stadium
Port Vila
Vanuatu
Kick-off: 1400hrs (VT*)/1600hrs (NZT**)
* Vanuatu Time/**New Zealand Time