Vanuatu have thrilled their home fans at VFF Freshwater Stadium in Port Vila with a commanding 4-1 win over Samoa to kick off their 2026 FIFA World Cup Oceania Qualifying campaign in style.
From the outset, Juliano Schmeling’s side played with real attacking intent and were soon in front.
Selwyn Vatu, after a lovely run down the flank, put in a wonderful cross for Alex Saniel to tap it home from close range in the 7th minute.
The home side largely dominated possession in the early stages with Samoa looking to use the pace of Michael Leo up front to catch Vanuatu on the break.
Leo managed to get in behind Brian Kaltak in the 12th minute, but the Vanuatu skipper recovered enough to pressure Leo into fluffing his shot wide.
Jordy Tasip forced a good save from Samoan keeper Paul Taupau in the 15th minute as Vanuatu took control.
Samoan captain Andrew Setefano cleared off the line as the visitors held out until the 36th minute when John Alick produced a moment of magic.
Main photo credit: OFC Media / Christopher Malili’ / Phototek.
Kaltak chipped the ball over the top for the speedy Alick to flick the ball past the advancing Taupau and then in a flash he brilliantly prevented the ball from going out of play with a deft prod using the outside of his right foot, doubling Vanuatu’s lead with a quality finish.
Once again, Leo showcased his pace during first-half injury time, breaking through the Vanuatu defence. He unleashed a powerful left-footed shot toward the goal, forcing a remarkable save from Vanuatu keeper Dick Sablan.
The home side laid siege to the Vanuatu goal in the early stages of the second half and Setefano was again forced to clear off his line.
But against the run of play, on the counterattack, replacement striker Nathan Viliamu was put through by Dauntae Mariner, and he outpaced the defence before placing the ball past the advancing Sablan and into the empty net.
The goal stunned the vocal home crowd into silence, but it was only temporary as two minutes later Taupau could only half clear a cross with a punch away that left him stranded, the ball fell to Alick who guided the ball into the net for his second of the game.
Vanuatu continued to attack and created a number of chances before Bong Kalo with a superb strike from outside the box sealed the result in injury time.
Both sides are next in action in the November FIFA international window with Group B games in Hamilton and Auckland against New Zealand and Tahiti.
Main photo credit: OFC Media / Christopher Malili’ / Phototek.
New Zealand won the opening Group B game on Friday, beating Tahiti 3-0.
READ MORE: All Whites stroll to win against Tahiti to get FIFA World Cup campaign underway >>>>
Acknowledgement
We thank OFC Media for providing information for this story.
Results
Games to be played on Saturday October 12, 2024
2026 FIFA World Cup
OFC Qualifier – Group B
Vanuatu 4 (Alex Saniel 7′, John Alick 36′, 57′, Bong Kalo 90+1′)
Samoa 1 (Nathan Viliamu 54′)
Game played on Friday October 11, 2024
New Zealand 3 (Eli Just 2’, Chris Wood 68’, Ben Waine 89’)
Tahiti 0
This story was first published on October 12, 2024.
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Publish date : 2024-10-12 01:23:46
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