With little known about the Bolivian team, coach and former Vanuatu international Etienne Mermer expects a difficult first-up encounter.
“We do not know how they play or what style they play, so we will concentrate on our own game,” says Mermer, who is helped in coaching the side by assistant Wilson August.
The team has already endured one setback with their first training session cancelled because their playing kit was yet to arrive in Singapore.
Mermer says once the kit issue is settled, he expects the team to perform credibly in its first campaign at this level.
Several players have already experienced international competition abroad – Santino Mermer appeared at the 2007 OFC U-12 Festival of Football in Papua New Guinea and the Danone Nations Cup at Stade Gerland, Lyon, France.
The players were selected in late 2009 and have trained at the Vanuatu Football Federation Academy, combining school work with daily training sessions.
Coach Mermer has placed a strong emphasis on his players’ holistic development with education and football viewed as an integral aspect of the project.
“I was a primary school teacher for six years and a national team player, so I understand the players’ needs at this age and education is very important,” he says.
Mermer also came up with an innovative way to train his young charges for their first ever Youth Olympics campaign.
In May, he changed the environment of his squad’s training for a stint. The team went from playing on a normal grass pitch to sand in a bid to improve their skill and control, as well as build up the strength in their leg muscles.
Mermer thinks training on the sand is also good for goalkeepers because of the soft landings and the greater effort required for movement.
“I believe that with this extra training on the beach the boys can be ready to take part in the tournament in Singapore,” he said at the time.
Vanuatu is drawn in a three-team group alongside Bolivia and Haiti.
Friday 13 August
Vanuatu vs Bolivia, Jalan Besar Stadium, kick off 6pm (local time)
Thursday 19 August
Haiti vs Vanuatu, Jalan Besar Stadium, kick off 8:45pm (local time)