The Vanuatu side have 12 players still in their squad from the last edition of the tournament in February last year, although they haven’t played a single international game since then.
But that isn’t worrying coach Joel Rarua, who says he can’t wait to lead his side into the tournament at the Loto-Tonga Soka Centre in Nuku’alofa from 1-10 October.
“Preparations were already underway from the moment we knew we would participate in the OFC U-20 Women’s Championship,” Rarua said.
“I know this competition will be tough because New Zealand, New Caledonia, Samoa and hosts Tonga have good women’s teams.
“I want to get my team into a good frame of mind before going into the tournament, and I can confirm that the girls have been in camp at Teouma Academy since last week.”
To date the Vanuatu side have played only one pre-tournament match, comfortably beating the Luganville senior girls’ team 12-0 last month at Luganville Soccer City Stadium.
The team will fly to Tonga on 26 September, before facing New Caledonia in their first game on 1 October.
The competition will follow a round robin based on a league format. There will be two matches played per match day, with one side sitting it out with a bye.
The side at the top of the standings at the conclusion of the final match day will qualify directly to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Papua New Guinea in 2016.
For more on Vanuatu football visit www.vanuafoot.vu.

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