The Melanesians charged out of the blocks in the opening match of the OFC U-20 Championship on Thursday and raced to a 2-0 first-half lead over hosts Fiji after some thrilling attacking play at Lautoka’s Churchill Park.
But a direct approach by the physical Fiji outfit paid off in the second period as Vanuatu were forced to surrender their two-goal cushion and succumb to a 3-2 defeat.
That meant a victory in the next match was crucial – as there is no knockout stage in the tournament every point and goal is crucial – but there was just one problem. Iaruel and his team-mates would have to come up against New Zealand’s Junior All Whites, the defending champions and favourites to retain their crown.
After being disappointed with his performance against Fiji, the tall teenager bounced back to produce a solid display against New Zealand and dealt with the many deliveries into the box that came his way.
“My performance against Fiji was not good but I’m pleased that I was able to improve against New Zealand,” he says. “That is something positive for me.”
Unfortunately for coach Moise Poida, Iaruel’s improved showing could not help Vanuatu to an upset win and the defeated side was left to reflect on a 1-0 loss that has dealt a fatal blow to their hopes of qualifying for the FIFA U-20 World Cup, set to take place in Turkey from June 21 to July 13.
They now largely only have pride to play for in their remaining two fixtures, a clash tomorrow against tournament underdogs Papua New Guinea and Friday’s meeting with New Caledonia, but Iaruel has every motivation to continue his form as he has a further-reaching personal goal in mind.
The 18-year-old spent time on trial in the youth system of English Premier League club Stoke City last year and has his heart set on a career in the professional game.
“I will do everything I possibly can to enter one of these teams for the good of football in Vanuatu,” he says.
If he can eventually put pen to paper with a professional outfit, Iaruel will follow in the footsteps of fellow Pacific products Benjamin Totori and Georges Gope-Fenepej, who joined A-League side the Wellington Phoenix and French Ligue 1 team Troyes respectively last year.

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