Saby Natonga’s team, who had failed to win any of their previous three friendlies over recent weeks, scored twice in the first quarter of an hour to stun Fiji and notch a 2-1 victory at Churchill Park in Lautoka on Friday night.
The result avenged Vanuatu’s 2-0 loss against the same opponents last Wednesday and will give the young side a welcome confidence boost ahead of the upcoming Pacific Games, which the friendlies have acted as preparation for.
The visitors looked sharp from the opening whistle on a pristine Churchill Park surface and it wasn’t long before they made their early superiority count on the scoreboard.
Yvon August and Robert Tasso both found a way past Fiji goalkeeper and captain Simione Tamanisau as the home side struggled to put together any meaningful passages of play.
But the half-time words of coach Gurjit Singh appeared to have the desired effect as Fiji began the second half with a renewed sense of purpose.
They were back in the game within minutes of the restart when Alvin Avinesh produced one of his trademark piledrivers to beat Vanuatu custodian Altred Malas and reduce the deficit.
Fiji dominated possession for the remained of the match and carved out several good chances, the best of which was spurned by midfielder Samuela Kautoga, who got his head to a well-placed cross but put his effort wide.
But, despite seeing little of the ball as the clock ticked down, Vanuatu held on to deny Fiji a second straight victory and justify Natonga’s faith in his young charges.
“I’m very pleased as we have been able to field young players for these two friendlies,” Natonga says.
“It was not about winning. I have left five experienced players behind so that we can bring in the less experienced ones and expose them to international football.
“We changed our tactics today as the ground last time in Labasa was a bit bumpy but here in Lautoka it was good.”
Fiji coach Gurjit Singh was disappointed with the loss and feels over-confidence on the part of his players may have been a contributing factor.
“I think the boys may have been too sure they were going to win this match,” he says.
“They did not play well in the first half and blunders cost us the goals. We now need to look ahead to the Pacific Games. We had several key players missing for this match but they should be back for our next training camp.”
Prior to their trip to Fiji, Vanuatu had embarked on a similar tour of the Solomon Islands, during which they lost 2-1 and drew 0-0 with the national side.
The Pacific Games takes place in New Caledonia during August and September.
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