It is the first time the Tafea Province champions have ever won the trophy, Vanuatu football’s second biggest prize, and they are also the first team from outside Port Vila to have lifted the cup since 1980.
Striker Noel Stephen put Nalkutan ahead just before the halftime break and it was a lead Joe Iati’s men never relinquished in front of over 5,000 football-mad fans at a packed PVL Stadium in Port Vila.
Captain Iaker Tess was so struck by the victory that he failed to hold back the tears as he went to receive the cup and accompanying VT$200,000 cash prize from representatives of sponsors TVL.
He was at a loss to sum up the win and struggled to find the words to describe his emotions.
“I don’t know what to say, other than that we are very happy and thank God for the victory,” he said.
“The boys played with their hearts today in front of a big crowd and we are so happy that we made it to the final and won.”
Siaraga captain Meren Tambe was disappointed with the loss but was proud of his players’ efforts on the road to runners-up.
“We have come a long way and to make it to the final is not easy,” he says.
“I expected us to do better but, at the end of the day, we were beaten by the better team. They are the best team we have played and are at the peak of their cycle.
“We will now go home and start fresh again for next year’s TVL Cup.”
Siaraga is based in Luganville, Vanuatu’s second largest city, and this season is the first time a club from Port Vila has not been involved in the final of the VFF TVL Cup, proving that football in more rural areas of the country is developing well.
For more on Vanuatu football go to www.vanuafoot.vu

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