Whilst the eyes of the football world are firmly focused on the FIFA World Cup™ in North America this month, Melanesian rivals Vanuatu and Fiji will face off in two international matches in Port Vila on the 6th and 9th of June, away from the glitz and glamour surrounding the global finals.
The exploits of either nation’s first professional clubs in the OFC Pro League this season has created a sense of familiarity between the two nations and their respective head coaches – who have also developed a friendship off the field.
Both arriving in the Pacific in October last year to take up positions as dual head coach of both their national team and respective nation’s Pro League clubs, Lars Hopp (Vanuatu & Vanuatu United FC) and Stephane Auvray (Fiji & Bula FC) share many similarities in their current coaching careers.
“We are good friends,” says Vanuatu coach Lars Hopp. “We knew each other from our time at FIFA already, and then obviously we both started here in the Pacific in the same month. We are sharing the journey in a way.”
They may be fierce competitors when facing each other in the dugout, but off the field Hopp and Auvray like to spend time together discussing their coaching journeys and topics aside from football.
“It’s a nice thing to have a friend to share parts of the journey with you. I am very much looking forward to hosting him here in Port Vila, showing him around a little bit, and spending some time to share some moments outside of our work.”
Hopp ad Auvray have already faced each other four times during their time in the Pacific, thrice in the OFC Pro League, and once already on the international stage at the MSG Prime Minister’s Cup last year. Lars holds the upper hand with two wins and a draw from those four previous meetings.
For either, this will also be just their second international window in charge of their respective national teams, providing a vital period to familiarize themselves with the set-up, and the group of players who come from outside their Pro League clubs.
For Auvray in particular, it’s the first time he’s been able to select the full Fijian squad since arriving last October.
“The goal is to give the players an opportunity to showcase themselves as it is the first time I get to select players,” says Auvray. “Our priority is to build an identity with players who are hungry to represent their country. These two games will help us identify the ones who have a true desire to represent Fiji.”
Of course, it isn’t just the two coaches, but also the two opposing playing squads who know each other well from their battles in the Pro League this season. As well as making history by playing the first OFC Pro League fixture against each other at Eden Park in January, Vanuatu United FC also came from behind to defeat Bula FC with a dramatic late extra-time winner in the semi-final playoff just over a month ago.
Fifteen of Auvray’s Fiji squad have played under his guidance for Bula FC in the Pro League this season, whilst eight of Hopp’s Vanuatu outfit have done the same for Vanuatu United FC – making up 23 of the 43 combined players across both squads.
His nation’s all-time top goalscorer and appearance holder, Roy Krishna, will lead Fiji for the two-match internationals series, returning to the national team set-up for the first time since the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Oceania Qualifiers. Scott Wara, Semi Nabenu, Lekima Gonerau, Tevita Waranaivalu, and Setareki Hughes, are other notable names returning after missing the MSG Prime Minister’s Cup last November.
Auvray’s squad also includes five debutants, all from Bula FC – with Maikah Dau in line to make his highly-anticipated international bow at just 17 years of age.
“The Bula FC players have had to keep their fitness level up until this international camp, and they remain connected,” Auvray said.
“Vanuatu will be looking forward to playing in front of their crowd. We are conscious that seeking a result would not be appropriate at such an early stage. However, there are many components we want to see from these two games, which may indicate that it is just a matter of time before we perform fully.”
Vanuatu and Fiji have met 37 times on the international football stage before, Fiji holding the edge with 19 wins to Vanuatu’s 11. The two rivals are also split by just six places on the FIFA World Rankings, Fiji ranked #154 in comparison to Vanuatu at #160.
Goals from Kalfter Kaltack and Kerry Iawak secured a 2-0 win for Vanuatu when the two nations last met in the group stage of the MSG Prime Minister’s Cup seven months ago – Hopp and Auvray’s first clash against each other in the Pacific. Vanuatu went on to win that tournament in Papua New Guinea, lifting their first Melanesian Cup and major international trophy since 1990.
Success in his first international camp in charge of the Vanuatu national team has already made Hopp a fan favorite within his new adopted home. The German will now get the chance to play in front of those home fans for the first time – also doubling as Vanuatu’s first home game since the OFC Men’s Nations Cup 2024 final.
“It’s finally nice to have some home games for the national team,” Hopp said. “It also means I’m involved in the organisation of the two games and get to see how that works here in Vanuatu. I’m very much looking forward to it.”
Only eight of Hopp’s squad for this international camp were present during that MSG Prime Minister’s Cup title-winning run though, with most of the team returning to the fold for the first time since 2024.
Alex Saniel is one of those eight remaining players and was a goalscorer in the final against Papua New Guinea. He comes into this two-game series under the spotlight having won the inaugural OFC Pro League Golden Boot with 11 goals.
The squad also features seven players based abroad, including Timothy Boulet and Jonathan Spokeyjack from Australian NPL clubs, and John Alick from PNG Hekari FC in the OFC Pro League.
“There’s an interesting mix of players,” Hopp revealed. “The main objective is to get to know everyone. We also want to create an idea of the playing principles we want to apply, and the way in which the players respond to it.”
“Vanuatu players are physically very fit, very fast, and technically good, and we want to fit that into a playing style that brings out their strengths.”
Fixture Details:
Vanuatu v Fiji | VFF Freshwater Stadium, Port Vila | Saturday 6 June
Vanuatu v Fiji | VFF Freshwater Stadium, Port Vila | Tuesday 9 June