After all, Kaltack is the man who finished as his country’s top scorer at both the U-17 and U-20 OFC championships last year and even made a net-finding impact for the senior national team at the 2011 Pacific Games, held in New Caledonia during August and September.
His form over the last 18 months is such that the decision of coach Richard Iwai to leave Kaltack out of the starting line-up in both of Vanuatu’s matches so far in Taupo has been somewhat of a surprise. But his qualities as an impact player off the bench cannot be called into question, a fact underlined by his match-winning exploits against Solomon Islands.
The key Group A clash appeared to be heading for a stalemate when Kaltack was introduced in the 55th minute and the teenage sensation wasted little time in making an impact, showing great skill to bring a Didier Kalip pass down on his chest and direct a shot past Solympics goalkeeper Silas Seda just six minutes later.
He immediately ran towards Vanuatu’s delirious supporters to celebrate and those fans will be hoping to see the same sight at least several more times as Vanuatu bid to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics.
The man himself is also keen to keep finding the net as it is a big part of his enjoyment of the world game.
“I like playing striker to score goals, help my team mates and, most importantly, win,” Kaltack says.
“Our coach always says that when you are one of the reserves you have to come on and make a positive difference, not a negative one.”
It makes sense that the 17-year-old should have such a passion for goalscoring as it is in the family genes. Father Ivoky Kaltack is a former striker for the Vanuatu national team and played in Tahiti for several seasons with Centrale Sportive.
Jean is proud to be following in his father’s footsteps but is hoping his feats supersede those of Kaltack Snr.
“My father is my role model, he had a rich and successful career,” he says. “Every time I go onto the field I want to do even better than he did.”
Kaltack’s next chance to add to his goalscoring tally will arrive tomorrow when Vanuatu take on Fiji in a rescheduled match that will determine who finishes top of Group A.

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