Solomon Islands Phillip Mango and Vanuatu's Brian Kaltak. OFC Nations Cup 2024 Press Conference, Fresh Water Stadium, Port Vila, Vanuatu, Thursday 13 June 2024. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / www.phototek.nz
Vanuatu and Solomon islands shape up for 'final' clash
Melanesian brothers, or wantoks, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands, both believe their opening Group A game in Vila on Saturday will be "a final" as they kick off their campaign at the OFC Nations Cup.
The withdrawal of New Caledonia, as a result of the unrest the country suffered in the last month meant the two and New Zealand are the only teams fighting for qualification from that group.
Both teams realise an opening defeat could ruin any chances of making the semi-finals.
Solomon Islands interim head coach Jacob Moli said at the pre-tournament media conference in Port Vila on Thursday they only have two chances, and the first is the toughest one.
"This game is a Grand Final for us, nothing more, nothing less, so we have to step up," he told OFC media.
Moli had just days to prepare for the OFC Nations Cup after he accepted the job only two weeks ago, but he knows the playing squad well and is confident he will put out a formidable side on Saturday.
"We have only had two weeks to prepare, so we need to make sure we do the simple things well and everyone knows their roles and responsibilities on the field," Moli said.
The Solomon Islands have enjoyed a successful period in recent times, coming agonisingly close to winning the final of the Pacific Games on home soil in December.
Despite the Solomons only losing six times in 35 matches against Vanuatu, the last time in 2017, their coach is quick to hand the home team the favourites' tag.
"I would say Vanuatu is the favourite on Saturday and we just hope we turn up and are ready for the game," Moli added.
His Vanuatu counterpart Juliano Schmeling agreed that securing victory against the Solomon Islands was vital to progress in the tournament.
"We understand New Zealand is at different level in Oceania, so this will be the key match," the Brazilian said.
"Now New Caledonia couldn't make it, this is a big match, a grand final for both of us."
He says the result at the OFC Nations Cup is important, but not the end goal.
"Of course, we want to do well in front of our own fans, but even a loss would be part of the longer process of developing a strong national team for the FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign," Schmeling added.
The Vanuatu coach said he will tap into his deep knowledge of the Solomon players after working with their national futsal team eight years ago.
Vanuatu captain Brian Kaltak said he was excited as they co-host the event with Fiji.
When asked about the home-town pressure, Kaltak says the team has been slightly insulated from the excitement in the capital at their tournament hotel.
"For the boys from here there will be increased pressure, but also excitement. When the Solomons and Vanuatu play each other, it is always crazy."
Meanwhile, Samoa and Tahiti will kick-off the Fiji leg of the event tomorrow in Suva.
That will be followed by Fiji and Papua New Guinea clashing in another Melanesian battle.
Vanuatu beach volleyball team at the Gold Coast in Australia before leaving for China. Photo: Vanuatu Beach Volleyball
Olympic qualification time for Vanuatu beach v'ballers
The Vanuatu National Women's Beach Volleyball team has headed to China this week to compete in their final Olympic qualification tournament.
Led by coach Shanon Zunker, the squad arrived in China late on Wednesday, and hit the courts in Ningbo for their first training session on Thursday.
The team will compete in Phase Two of the Continental Cup semi-final this weekend.
That begins on Sunday, 16 June at the Ningbo Banbianshan Beach Volleyball Centre.
Vanuatu successfully moved into the semis after finishing second behind New Zealand in the Continental Cup - Oceania Phase 1 event, hosted in Port Vila last September.
Team Vanuatu will need to finish in the top 2 at this tournament to progress into the Final qualifier, which will be held the following week, 21-23 June at the same venue in Ningbo Xiangshan.
The other teams competing in the Continental Cup Phase 2 semi-final are Hong Kong, Indonesia and Kyrgyzstan.
Vanuatu is seeded number one for the event, and will most likely be facing Kyrgyzstan in the opening round on Sunday.
The winners from the two initial rounds will play each other in the final on Tuesday.
No matter the result, both these teams will progress through to the Contintental Cup (Phase 3) final, and the possibility of winning the sole spot to Paris 2024.
The players have been based in Queensland, on the Gold Coast, training hard in preparation for their return to China, where they competed in two FIVB Futures events last month.
Squad: Sherysyn Toko, Majabelle Lawac, Linline Matauatu, Loti Joe, Luduine Tebeim (Reserve) Shanon Zunker (coach) Myles Burfield (physio).