As the countdown to the kick-off of their opening FIFA U-20 World Cup match against Mexico on 20 May continues, the full squad list for Vanuatu’s World Cup debut has been announced.
The squad had spent a large period of time together in New Zealand ahead of their departure to Singapore for a series of friendly matches, and on to Korea.
And although there haven’t been a lot of changes, one notable inclusion is central defender Jason Thomas joining the team after competing OFC Champions League duties with his club Erakor Golden Star.
Thomas is an important inclusion, having already earned caps with the senior national team alongside team captain Bong Kalo. He spent time during his schooling playing fotoball in New Zealand, and last year was playing professionally in Cambodia.
Ronaldo Wilkins is another experienced young member of the U-20 squad, having spent the two previous years in New Zealand as a member of the Wellington Phoenix Academy programme and attending Stotts College.
Vanuatu U-20 (position/club)
1. Daniel ALICK (GK / ABM Galaxy FC)
2. Selwyn VATU (DF / Shepherds United FC)
3. Lency PHILIP (DF / Northern Region Academy FC)
4. Jason THOMAS (DF / Erakor Golden Star)
5. Joseph IARUEL (DF / Amicale FC)
6. Claude ARU (MF / Malampa Revivors FC)
7. Bethuel OLLIE (FW / Northern Region Academy FC)
8. Jayson TIMATUA (Shepherds United FC)
9. Ronaldo WILKINS (MF / Siaraga FC)
10. Bong KALO (MF / Tafea FC)
11. Godine TENENE (MF / Spirit 08 FC)
12. Dick TAIWIA (GK / Ifira Black Bird FC)
13. Tasso JEFFREY (DF / Mawia FC)
14. Reginold RAVO (DF / Northern Region Academy FC)
15. Gregory PATRICK (DF / Malampa Revivors FC)
16. Frederick MASSING (MF / Malampa Revivors FC)
17. John WOHALE (MF / Northern Region Academy FC)
18. Johnathan SPOKEYJACK (FW / Shepherds United FC)
19. Abednigo SAU (FW / Siaraga FC)
20. Azariah SOROMON (FW / Tupuji Imere FC)
21. Andreas DUCH (GK / Malampa Revivors FC)
Coach: Dejan GLUSCEVIC (CAN)