The Oceania qualifiers for the Olympics are scheduled to take place in New Zealand in March and Iwai is eager to whip his charges into shape as quickly as possible.
“Time is running out,” he says.
“But I think we have some good young players, many of whom have just finished their academy football programme of the last two years and they should adapt quickly in training.”
Iwai is an ideal figure to pass his knowledge on to the U-23 group as he has enjoyed a successful playing career with the Vanuatu national team and the Tafea club. He also spent time in Australia starring for Brisbane-based outfit Michelton.
He will face some tough decisions over the coming weeks as the squad must be reduced to 20 for the Olympic qualifiers.
Key figures in the wider training group include defender Brian Kaltack, who recently enjoyed an OFC-funded four-month stint with A-League side the Wellington Phoenix. He was not a member of the official squad at the Phoenix but was immersed completely into the club’s environment under coach Ricki Herbert, training every day with the players and experiencing life as a professional footballer.
He also played in the local league for Waterside Karori during his time in the New Zealand capital.
Kaltack is joined in the Olympic squad by cousin Jean Kaltack, one of the Pacific’s most promising talents and a young man capable of providing the goals to take Vanuatu to London.
The rangy striker first caught the eye at the OFC U-17 Championship in January of last year, scoring five times for Vanuatu as they finished fourth. He and his country both went one better at the OFC U-20 Championship three months later, Kaltack notching six goals to win the golden boot as Vanuatu earned bronze.
His feats at the age-group tournaments were enough for him to be included in the senior squad for the 2011 Pacific Games and he continued his progress at the event by finishing among the top-scorers with a six-goal haul.
Five other players selected in the Olympic squad, namely Kensi Tangis, Robert Tasso, Eddison Stephen, Yvon Wilson and Lucien Hinge, also took part in the Pacific Games.
Iwai’s men are preparing for their path to London by training every day at the Vanuatu Football Federation academy at Teouma.
Vanuatu U-23 Olympic training squad
Pascal Chabod (Amicale)
Bernard Daniel (Spirit 08)
Jimmy Enuki (Spirit 08)
Dominique Fred (Shepherds United)
David Garu (Siaraga)
Siri George (Redal)
Lucien Hinge (Tafea)
Selonie Iaruel (Tafea)
Didier Karlyp (Spirit 08)
Brian Kaltack (Waterside Karori, New Zealand)
Jean Kaltack (Erakor Golden Star)
Malone Kaltanak (Tupuji Imere)
Rody Lenga (Spirit 08)
Reece Lerr (Seveners United)
Figo Loughman (Spirit 08)
Ridely Mafe (Seveners United)
Octave Meltecoin (Spirit 08)
Moses Moli Kalotang (Tafea)
Silas Namatak (Tafea)
Namuli Namatak Joseph (Siwi)
Willie Ola Jimmy (Shepherds United)
Rodney Serveux (Tupuji Imere)
Eddison Stephen (Shepherds United)
Kensi Tangis (Amicale)
Robert Tasso (Spirit 08)
Johnny Tiraeng (Amicale)
Simon Tousi (Siwi)
Junior Vava (Seveners United)
Yvon Wilson (Shepherds United)
For more on Vanuatu football go to www.vanuafoot.vu

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