Vanuatu United FC’s upcoming match against South Island United in the OFC Pro League will be a special occasion for Vanuatu winger Jordy Tasip, who will be lining up against many familiar faces on Friday.
Tasip spent the past season with Christchurch United in the New Zealand National League and will find several old team-mates on the opposing South Island United team.
“They’re good friends to me, so tomorrow is a special game for me,” says Tasip, who will bump into Christchurch United players Steven van Dijk, Ollie van Rijssel, Riley Grover, Charlie Beale and injured Josh Rogerson.
Tasip and fellow Vanuatu international Walter Leoru had tough introduction to the South Island, arriving in the dead of winter.
“Yes, it was really cold for us, like minus zero. During that time we were also training early in the morning, so it’s a big challenge for me,” laughs Tasip, who quickly became a popular figure in the Christchurch squad.
“He’s a legend, isn’t he. I think he enjoyed his time with us, apart from the cold weather maybe,” grins South Island United vice-captain Van Rijssel.
“He’s a worker, and he’ll just get stuck in,” says the left fullback, who is glad Tasip will most likely play opposite Riley Grover on the other wing. “But if he drifts over, I’ll be glad I have my shin pads on.”
Tasip is enjoying his time in the OFC Pro League and says that coach Ryan Edwards and team-mates in Christchurch helped him to become a more professional player.
“I picked a lot of things from the coaches and the players. To reach a level like this, you have to commit yourself and be on time.”
Asked if his time in Christchurch will help his Vanuatu team with some inside information, Tasip responds like a true diplomat.
“They’re good players that I played with. They are experienced players and I respect them, so hopefully it’s going to be a great game for us tomorrow,” says Tasip.
Van Rijssel says South Island United is eager to get points on the board after the opening day loss to Auckland FC and the rained out match on Tuesday.
The vice-captain is enjoying the new life as a brand-new professional footballer and says he is embracing all the new challenges.
“All the travel is a new challenge for all of us. And for what it’s worth, I don’t think we’ve gotten sick of each other yet, which is great,” smiles Van Rijssel.
“Obviously it is different, trying to manage different things like tiredness, travel, sleeping in a hotel room, but it’s really fun,” says Van Rijssel, who is looking forward to four days in his own bed before the team flies to Papua New Guinea on Thursday.
“It’s very much a league where you’re just thinking about the next thing. On Saturday you’re thinking about Tuesday, now we are thinking about Friday, and when we get back to Christchurch, we’ll start thinking about PNG.”