Vanuatu national under-23 football team

Vanuatu U23
Nickname(s)Vanuatu Cyclone
AssociationVanuatu Football Federation
ConfederationOFC (Oceania)
Head coach Etienne Mermer
CaptainBrian Kaltack
Most capsJean Kaltak (13)
Top scorerJean Kaltak (21)
FIFA codeVAN
First colours
Second colours
First international
 Australia 9–1  
(Adelaide, Australia; 13 January 1996)
Biggest win
 Micronesia 0–46  
(Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea; 7 July 2015)
Biggest defeat
 Australia 12–0  
(Adelaide, Australia; 25 January 1996)
World Cup
Appearances0
OFC U23 Championship
Appearances8
Best resultRunners-up (2015)
MSG Prime Minister's Cup
Appearances1
Best resultRunners-up (2022)

The Vanuatu national under-23 football team, also known as Vanuatu Cyclone and Vanuatu "B", represents Vanuatu at U23 tournaments. The team is considered to be the feeder team for the Vanuatu national football team. They are controlled by the Vanuatu Football Federation. The team has gained notoriety for thrashing Micronesia's side 46–0 in the 2015 Pacific Games.

History

Vanuatu U23 made four appearances so far at the OFC U23 Championship. Their best result was a third place in 2012. In 2015 they will make their fifth appearance during the 2015 Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea but before that, they will play a tournament called the Four Nation’s Friendship Cup.

OFC

The OFC Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament is a tournament held once every four years to decide the only qualification spot for Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) and representatives at the Olympic Games.

OFC Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament
Year Round Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1991 Did not enter
1996 5th place 8 1 1 6 5 43 -38 4
1999 Group stage 2 0 0 2 0 6 -6 0
2004 Third place 4 3 0 1 27 3 +24 9
2008 5th place 5 1 0 4 6 16 -10 3
2012 Third place 4 2 0 2 12 5 +7 6
2015 Runners-up 5 2 2 1 51 3 +48 8
2019 Third place 5 4 0 1 13 2 +11 12
2023 Semi-finals 4 2 0 2 7 12 –5 6
Total Runners-up 37 15 3 19 121 90 31 48

Fixtures & Matches

2015

17 May 2015 Friendly New Caledonia  2–3 Vanuatu Nouméa, New Caledonia
19:00 Raphael Oiremon 51'
Joseph Tchako 95'
Report Christopher Andrew 20'
Bill Nicolls 39'
Bong Kalo 77'
Stadium: Stade Numa-Daly
Referee: Francois Cambrin (New Caledonia)
20 May 2015 Friendly New Caledonia  0–1 Vanuatu Nouméa, New Caledonia
19:00 Report Christopher Andrew 81' Stadium: Stade Numa-Daly
13 June 2015 Four Nation’s Friendship Cup New Caledonia  0–1 Vanuatu Port Vila, Vanuatu
13:00 Report Nilua Nickson Nikau 5' Stadium: Port Vila Municipal Stadium
Referee: Nawen Hopkims (Vanuatu)
3 July 2015 Pacific Games Fiji 1–1 Vanuatu Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
14:00 Nickel Chand 63' Report Jean Kaltack 20' Stadium: Bisini Sports Complex
Referee: Gerald Oiaka
5 July 2015 Pacific Games Tahiti 2–1 Vanuatu Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
14:00 Fred Tissot 70'
Manuarii Hauata 80'
Report Brian Kaltack 54' (pen.) Stadium: Bisini Sports Complex
Referee: George Time
7 July 2015 Pacific Games Federated States of Micronesia 0–46 Vanuatu Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
11:00 [1] Tony Kaltack 2', 18', 27', 49', 53', 56'
Bill Nicolls 3', 16', 37', 45+3', 50'
57', 61', 64', 65', 72'
Jean Kaltack 4', 6', 17', 34', 37'
44', 45', 45+2', 47', 54'
59', 60', 66', 73', 90+3', 90+4'
Barry Mansale 12', 20', 22', 29', 30', 36'
Dalong Damalip 14', 45+1'
Brian Kaltack 23'
Nemani Nikiau 55'
Abraham Roqara 68', 89'
Zica Manuhi 74'
Christopher Andrews 90'
Stadium: Bisini Sports Complex
Referee: Ichikawa Polovili
10 July 2015 Pacific Games New Zealand 0–3
Awarded
Vanuatu Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
14:30 Patterson 47'
Tuiloma 56'
Report Stadium: Bisini Sports Complex
Referee: Ravitesh Behari
12 July 2015 Pacific Games Fiji 0–0 Vanuatu Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
18:00 Report Stadium: Bisini Sports Complex
Referee: Norbert Hauata

2019

22 September 2019 (2019-09-22) 2019 OFC Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament Group Stage   3–1  Papua New Guinea Lautoka, Fiji
12:00
Report
  • Togubai 56'
Stadium: Churchill Park
Attendance: 150
Referee: Matthew Conger
25 September 2019 (2019-09-25) 2019 OFC Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament Group Stage Tonga  0–8   Lautoka, Fiji
12:00 Report
  • Kalo 28', 29', 50'
  • Spokeyjack 31'
  • Ollie 45+2'
  • Tasip 48'
  • Kalopong 53'
  • Soromon 81'
Stadium: Churchill Park
Attendance: 100
Referee: George Time
28 September 2019 (2019-09-28) 2019 OFC Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament Group Stage Fiji  0–1   Lautoka, Fiji
15:00 Report
Stadium: Churchill Park
Attendance: 250
Referee: Matthew Conger (New Zealand)
2 October 2019 (2019-10-02) 2019 OFC Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament Semi-finals   0–1  Solomon Islands Lautoka, Fiji
15:30 Report
  • Waita 37'
Stadium: Churchill Park, Lautoka
Attendance: 150
Referee: Matthew Conger (New Zealand)
5 October 2019 (2019-10-05) 2019 OFC Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament Third place match Fiji  0–1   Lautoka, Fiji
12:00 Report
Stadium: Churchill Park, Lautoka
Attendance: 100
Referee: Mederic Lacour (New Caledonia)

Current Technical Staff

Position
Head coach Etienne Mermer
Assistant coach George Amos
Assistant coach Lauru Wilkins
Goalkeeper coach Jean Yves Galinie
Teamamanger Richard Tatwin
Physiotherapist Daniel Frankem

Current squad

The following players were called to the squad for the 2019 OFC Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament from 21 September - 5 October 2019.
Caps and goals updated as of 5 October 2019 after the match against Fiji.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Daniel Alick (1998-12-28) 28 December 1998 4 0 Erakor Golden Star
19 1GK James Chilia (2001-03-23) 23 March 2001 1 0 Tupuji Imere
20 1GK Joshua Willie (2000-06-13) 13 June 2000 0 0 ABM Galaxy

2 2DF Jesse Kalopang (1998-01-01) 1 January 1998 5 1 Erakor Golden Star
3 2DF Waiwo Kalmet (1999-04-26) 26 April 1999 0 0 Tafea
4 2DF Jason Thomas (1997-01-20) 20 January 1997 5 0 Erakor Golden Star
5 2DF Joseph Iaruel (1998-01-25) 25 January 1998 5 0 ABM Galaxy
6 2DF Tasso Jeffrey (1998-08-12) 12 August 1998 4 0 Malampa Revivors
12 2DF Lency Philip (1997-06-08) 8 June 1997 1 0 Vaum United
13 2DF Selwyn Vatu (1998-06-13) 13 June 1998 5 0 ABM Galaxy
14 2DF Mole Mansale (1997-09-12) 12 September 1997 0 0 Tupuji Imere

7 3MF Jordy Tasip (2000-07-14) 14 July 2000 4 1 Tafea
8 3MF Claude Aru (1997-04-25) 25 April 1997 5 1 Malampa Revivors
10 3MF Bong Kalo (1997-01-18) 18 January 1997 12 4 ABM Galaxy
15 3MF Armando Ravo (2002-12-12) 12 December 2002 1 0 Malampa Revivors
16 3MF Ronaldo Wilkins (1999-12-30) 30 December 1999 4 1 Shepherds United
17 3MF Bethuel Ollie (1997-08-19) 19 August 1997 4 0 Vaum United
18 3MF Jasson Tari (2000-11-02) 2 November 2000 0 0 Tafea

9 4FW Johnathan Spokeyjack (1999-11-13) 13 November 1999 5 1 Ifira Black Bird
11 4FW Azariah Soromon (1999-03-01) 1 March 1999 5 4 Tupuji Imere

The following players were called to the squad for the 2015 Pacific Games from 3–17 July 2015.
Caps and goals updated as of 10 July 2015 after the match against New Zealand.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Seiloni Iaruel (1995-04-17) 17 April 1995 13 0 Amicale
20 1GK Anthony Taiwia (1994-09-04) 4 September 1994 0 0 Ifira Black Bird
23 1GK Kaloram Firiam (1994-12-10) 10 December 1994 0 0 Tafea

2 2DF Chanel Obed (1995-09-30) 30 September 1995 9 0 Amicale
5 2DF Junia Vava (1993-09-13) 13 September 1993 9 0 Ifira Black Bird
4 2DF Brian Kaltack (c) (1993-09-30) 30 September 1993 14 3 Erakor Golden Star
3 2DF Remy Kalsrap (1996-01-20) 20 January 1996 9 0 Erakor Golden Star
6 2DF Raoul Coulon (1995-12-03) 3 December 1995 9 0 Tupuji Imere
21 2DF Jais Malsarani (1994-03-07) 7 March 1994 1 0 Tafea
22 2DF Kevin Shem (1993-12-05) 5 December 1993 5 0 Tafea

7 3MF Barry Mansale (1995-11-01) 1 November 1995 12 6 Erakor Golden Star
10 3MF Bong Kalo (1997-01-18) 18 January 1997 7 1 Lugano
12 3MF Zica Manuhi (1993-07-23) 23 July 1993 2 1 Ifira Black Bird
13 3MF Dalong Damalip (1993-05-12) 12 May 1993 6 2 Amicale
14 3MF Michel Coulon (1995-12-03) 3 December 1995 3 0 Tupuji Imere
15 3MF Nilua Nicky Nikau (1993-03-04) 4 March 1993 2 2 Ifira Black Bird
16 3MF Jacky Ruben (1996-11-10) 10 November 1996 1 0 Erakor Golden Star
17 3MF Nemani Rogara (1993-06-09) 9 June 1993 1 0 Erakor Golden Star
18 3MF Abraham Rogara (1994-07-20) 20 July 1994 1 2 Erakor Golden Star

8 4FW Bill Nicolls (1993-06-03) 3 June 1993 5 11 Tupuji Imere
9 4FW Christopher Andrew (1993-01-02) 2 January 1993 8 3 Sia-Raga
11 4FW Jean Kaltack (1994-08-19) 19 August 1994 15 21 Erakor Golden Star
19 4FW Tony Kaltack (1996-03-04) 4 March 1996 1 6 Erakor Golden Star

List of coaches