The team has been buoyed most notably by last week’s 2-1 victory over top Vanuatu club side Amicale, which will represent the country in the upcoming OFC Champions League.
National team director Tarunesh Reddy said the match against Fiji club Lautoka at the weekend was then used to iron out any remaining weaknesses ahead of the tournament’s opening match in which Fiji will face Vanuatu.
“The match against Amicale gave us a chance to identify any weaknesses or mistakes we make and we were able to rectify them when playing against Lautoka. The morale in camp is high after the win against Amicale,” Reddy said.
However, he said facing the Vanuatu U-20 first-up would be no easy task for his side.
“We are not taking Vanuatu lightly in our first match at the playoffs as they have a number of internationally experienced players in their side. But our boys are focussed and know the mission at hand,” Reddy said.
While aware his side has the home advantage, Reddy said they can’t underestimate a team as passionate about football as the Vanuatu side is.
“All the teams will be coming to win and Vanuatu is no exception. The players have been told of the importance of winning their first match in the tournament which will put them in a good position for the remainder of the event.”
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