VANUATU Football Federation has announced that they are ready to meet New Caledonia in the men’s Pacific Games semifinals despite claims of complain by PNG’s men’s football team.
The Vanuatu men’s team will take on New Caledonia in the first Semi Final match on Tuesday 28 November.
Head of Vanuatu Football delegation (men’s and women’s) and VFF General Secretary Albert Manaroto says as far as they are concerned the four best teams are in the semi finals of the 2023 Pacific Games.
“Our view is the best four teams are in the semi finals,” Manaroto said.
Commenting on a PNG social media post claiming the Papua New Guinea team have made a formal appeal against their awarded forfeit win over Tuvalu, GS Manaroto said in fact they had requested to play PNG first after learning that Tuvalu would be arriving late.
“We wrote a letter requesting to play PNG first after we were informed (about Tuvalu’s case). We were later informed of the changes back to the normal schedule,” Manaroto explains.
Apparently there is no issue in the Games, all set for tomorrow”, he added.
Meanwhile, VFF Technical Director Peter Takaro confirms Brian Kaltak and Timothy Boulet are on the official confirmed Pacific Games team list.
“We’re happy that Auckland have released Timothy Boulet to play with the team in the game against PNG.
“Unfortunately it is the same for Brian since his Central Coast Mariners FC have busy schedules ahead of them. But we do have a good team, and we’re ready to play the semi final match against New Caledonia on Tuesday.”
Vanuatu will play New Caledonia in the first semi final match at 12pm Tuesday while Fiji will play hosts Solomon Island in the second match at 3pm.
Both matches will be played at the Lawson Tama Stadium.
