Both matches were played at the Vanuatu Football Federation’s Teouma Academy and resulted in 2-2 scorelines.
The Olympic squad was stung by one of its own in the first outing as Octav Meltecoin, who is a member of the U-23 training group but lined up for his club side Spirit on this occasion, scored a pair of outstanding goals in the first half to give Spirit a 2-0 lead at the break.
But Iwai’s men performed better in the second spell and got back into the game through an Yvon August strike from 25 metres before Robert Tasso volleyed home a late equaliser.
“I was satisfied with the way the boys played,” former Vanuatu international Iwai said.
“They performed well but there is a lot of work yet to do, especially on the ability to finish when we get into the opponent’s goal mouth. I hope they can continue to progress until we arrive in New Zealand for the competition.”
The second match was a mirror image of the first, the U-23 side going ahead 2-0 this time through a first-half Kensi Tangis double before Spirit fought back to haul themselves level in the second period.
Again, it was the opposition’s U-23 players who did the damage, Meltecoin finding the net against his national team mates once more before Tasso, now wearing Spirit colours, repeated his trick of finding an equaliser.
Iwai felt his side looked weary but was again pleased with the display.
“The problem is that we were very tired after having some hard trainings in the last few days but I must say that I am happy with the performance,” he said.
“I think we played well and were able to control the game but I don’t care about the results in friendly matches. The only thing I want to see is how my boys play as a team and I think they have shown us tonight that they are ready for the tournament.”
The qualifiers for the 2012 London Olympics will be held at Taupo’s Owen Delany Park from March 16 to 25 and Vanuatu will take on seven other nations, namely American Samoa, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tonga.
Following the group stage, semi-finals and final, the eventual winner will go on to represent OFC at the Olympic Football Tournament in London from July 26 to August 11.
For more on Vanuatu football go to www.vanuafoot.vu

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