Vanuatu national football team

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Vanuatu women's national football team.

Vanuatu
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)The Men in Black and Gold
AssociationVanuatu Football Federation
ConfederationOFC (Oceania)
Head coachJuliano Schmeling
CaptainBrian Kaltak
Most capsKensi Tangis (39)
Top scorerRichard Iwai (20)[1]
Home stadiumPort Vila Municipal Stadium
FIFA codeVAN
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 157 Increase 5 (24 October 2024)[2]
Highest131 (October 2007)
Lowest201 (October–November 2015)
First international
 New Zealand 9–0 New Hebrides 
(Nouméa, New Caledonia; 4 October 1951)[3]
Biggest win
 Kiribati 0–18 Vanuatu 
(Lautoka, Fiji; 7 July 2003)
Biggest defeat
 New Zealand 9–0 New Hebrides 
(Nouméa, New Caledonia; 4 October 1951)
OFC Nations Cup
Appearances10 (first in 1973)
Best resultRunners-up (2024)
Pacific Games
Appearances15 (first in 1963)
Best resultRunners-up (1971)
Melanesia Cup/MSG Prime Minister's Cup
Appearances9 (first in 1988)
Best resultMelanesia Cup: Champions
(1990)
MSG Prime Minister's Cup: Third place
(2023)
Wantok Cup
Appearances3 (first in 2008)
Best resultChampions (2011)

The Vanuatu men's national football team (French: équipe du Vanuatu de football) represents Vanuatu in men's international football competitions. The team is governed by the Vanuatu Football Federation, which is currently a member of FIFA and the Oceania Football Confederation.[5]

History

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Early years (1951–2022)

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It was known as the New Hebrides until the New Hebrides became Republic of Vanuatu in 1980. It finished fourth in the OFC Nations Cup in 1973, 2000, and 2002. In the 2004 Oceania Nations Cup, Vanuatu beat New Zealand 4–2, preventing the regional powerhouse from making the final and, consequently, the running for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Vanuatu caused another shock in the 2007 South Pacific Games by knocking out the Solomon Islands for bronze medal and also enable to enter the second stage of qualification for the OFC Nations Cup and consequently a chance with a playoff for the 2010 FIFA World Cup held in South Africa. The last time they had won against Solomon Islands was back in 1998 and had since been on the receiving side of many losses save for one draw against them. In July 2008, Vanuatu faced two national teams from the Solomon Islands during the inaugural edition of the Wantok Cup. Vanuatu lost 1–2 to the Solomons' team A, but defeated their team B by two goals to one.

Recognition of the team efforts (2023–present)

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In 2023, Vanuatu was invited for the 2023 Intercontinental Cup tournament held in India which is the team first tournament outside Oceania. In the first match on 9 June 2023, they would face Lebanon but suffered a 3–1 defeat. In the next match, Vanuatu conceded a late goal losing to host India on a narrow 1–0 lost. On 15 June 2023, Vanuatu found themselves with a bright smiles as they would go on to win Mongolia 1–0 thus earning them the 3 points and finishing in third place.

FIFA Series tournament

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In 2024, FIFA invited Vanuatu to the 2024 FIFA Series tournament held from 21 to 26 March 2024 in Jeddah where they would face Guinea (CAF) and Brunei (AFC). On 21 March, Vanuatu faced their first ever opponent from the Africa continent, Guinea in a 6–0 lost.

2024 OFC Nations Cup - Vanuatu reach their first ever major tournament final

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Vanuatu progressed to the final of the OFC Nations Cup for the first time in 2024 and finished as runners-up of the tournament on 30 June 2024 after losing to New Zealand with a 3–0 scoreline.[6][7]

Team image

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Kit sponsorship

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Kit provider[8] Period
Italy Lotto 2004–2011
United States Nike 2012
Australia Veto 2013–2016
New Zealand Pasifika 2017
Australia Gorilla Sports 2018–2020
Australia KPI Sports 2020–2022
Italy Macron 2022–2023
Italy Lotto 2022–present

Results and fixtures

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Main article: Vanuatu national football team results

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2023

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20 November 2023 Pacific Games Tuvalu  0–6  Vanuatu Honiara, Solomon Islands
12:00 Report
Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium
Referee: Shama Maemae (Solomon Islands)
23 November 2023 Pacific Games Vanuatu  1–1  Papua New Guinea Honiara, Solomon Islands
12:00
Report
Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium
Referee: Norbert Hauata (Tahiti)
28 November 2023 Pacific Games New Caledonia  1–0  Vanuatu Honiara, Solomon Islands
12:00
Report Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium
Referee: CK Kawana-Vaugh (New Zealand)
1 December 2023 Pacific Games Vanuatu  2–4  Fiji Honiara, Solomon Islands
15:00
Report
Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium
Referee: Ben Aukwai (Solomon Islands)

2024

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21 March 2024 FIFA Series Guinea  6–0  Vanuatu Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
22:00 UTC+3
Report Stadium: King Abdullah Sports City
Referee: Ahmed Al Ali (Jordan)
26 March 2024 FIFA Series Vanuatu  2–3  Brunei Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
22:00 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: King Abdullah Sports City Reserve Stadium
15 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup Solomon Islands  0–1  Vanuatu Port Vila, Vanuatu
15:00 UTC+11 Report
Stadium: Freshwater Stadium
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Veer Singh (Fiji)
18 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup Vanuatu  Cancelled  New Caledonia Port Vila, Vanuatu
15:00 UTC+11 Report Stadium: Freshwater Stadium
Note: On 5 June 2024, New Caledonia withdrew from the 2024 OFC Nations Cup due to the serious crisis in the country.[9]
21 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup Vanuatu  0–4  New Zealand Port Vila, Vanuatu
15:00 UTC+11 Report
Stadium: Freshwater Stadium
Attendance: 7,200
Referee: Veer Singh (Fiji)
27 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup SF Fiji  1–2  Vanuatu Port Vila, Vanuatu
15:00 UTC+11
Report
Stadium: Freshwater Stadium
Referee: Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh (New Zealand)
30 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup Final New Zealand  3–0  Vanuatu Port Vila, Vanuatu
15:00
Report Stadium: Freshwater Stadium
Attendance: 10,000
5 September Pacific Series Vanuatu  0–3  Australia U23 Port Vila, Vanuatu
Report
Stadium: Freshwater Stadium
Referee: Ben Aukwai (Solomon Islands)
8 September Pacific Series Vanuatu  v  Australia U23 Port Vila, Vanuatu
Source Stadium: Freshwater Stadium

Coaching staff

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Position
Head coach Brazil Juliano Schmeling
Assistant coach Vanuatu George Amos
Assistant coach Vanuatu François Sakama
Team Manager Vanuatu Peter Takaro
Goalkeeper coach Vanuatu Jimmy Obed
Assistant Goalkeeper coach Vanuatu Jean Yves Galinie
Physio Vanuatu Albert Lata

Coaching history

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New Hebrides

Vanuatu

Players

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Current squad

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The following 23 players were called up for the PacificAus Sports Football Series in September 2024.[10]

Caps and goals are correct as of 30 June 2024, after the match against  New Zealand.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Massing Kalotang (2002-08-26) August 26, 2002 (age 22) 8 0 Vanuatu Erakor Gold Star
1GK Anthony Quai 0 0 Vanuatu Penama
1GK Dick Sablan (1996-12-23) December 23, 1996 (age 27) 0 0 Vanuatu Ifira Black Bird
2DF Michel Coulon (1995-12-03) 3 December 1995 (age 28) 17 1 Vanuatu Mauriki
2DF Timothy Boulet (1998-11-29) November 29, 1998 (age 25) 15 0 Vanuatu Ifira Black Bird
2DF Selwym Vatu (1998-06-13) 13 June 1998 (age 26) 13 0 Vanuatu ABM Galaxy
2DF Tasso Jeffrey (1998-08-12) 12 August 1998 (age 26) 12 0 Australia Western Strikers
2DF Jacques Wanemut (1992-02-02) February 2, 1992 (age 32) 4 0 Vanuatu Ifira Black Bird
2DF Zidane Maguekon (2000-06-03) June 3, 2000 (age 24) 1 0 Vanuatu Classic
2DF Thomas Salemu 0 0 Vanuatu Ifira Black Bird
2DF Joshua Tokio (2001-04-04) April 4, 2001 (age 23) 0 0 Vanuatu Ifira Black Bird
3MF John Alick (1991-04-25) 25 April 1991 (age 33) 25 0 Solomon Islands Solomon Warriors
3MF John Wohale (1997-07-09) 9 July 1997 (age 27) 17 1 Vanuatu Ifira Black Bird
3MF Jared Clark (1998-01-21) 21 January 1998 (age 26) 8 0 Australia FK Beograd
3MF Harry Norman (2003-12-31) 31 December 2003 (age 20) 8 1 Vanuatu Exe Green Rovers
3MF Alick Worworbu (1997-08-27) 27 August 1997 (age 27) 4 0 Vanuatu Yatel
4FW Alex Saniel (1996-11-08) 8 November 1996 (age 28) 23 1 Australia Northern Demons
4FW Johnathan Spokeyjack (1998-11-13) 13 November 1998 (age 26) 16 2 Vanuatu Ifira Black Bird
4FW Godine Tenene (1998-05-03) 3 May 1998 (age 26) 16 3 Vanuatu Ifira Black Bird
4FW Tony Kaltak (1996-11-05) 5 November 1996 (age 28) 16 15 Vanuatu Erakor Gold Star
4FW Jean Kaltak (1994-08-19) 19 August 1994 (age 30) 8 9 Vanuatu Erakor Gold Star
4FW Tonly Kalotang (1997-05-19) 19 May 1997 (age 27) 2 0 Vanuatu Ifira Black Bird
4FW Jordy Tasip (2000-07-14) 14 July 2000 (age 24) 0 0 Vanuatu Ifira Black Bird

Recent call-ups

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The following players have also been called up to the national squad in the last twelve months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK James Iamar (1997-01-25) January 25, 1997 (age 27) 4 0 Vanuatu Tafea 2024 OFC Nations Cup
GK Dgen Leo (2000-08-06) August 6, 2000 (age 24) 3 0 Vanuatu Classic 2024 OFC Nations Cup
GK Joshua Willie (2000-06-13) June 13, 2000 (age 24) 2 0 Vanuatu ABM Galaxy 2024 FIFA Series
GK Anthony Taiwia (1994-09-04) 4 September 1994 (age 30) 0 0 Vanuatu Ifira Black Bird 2023 Pacific Games
DF Brian Kaltak (1993-09-30) 30 September 1993 (age 31) 30 5 Australia Central Coast Mariners 2024 OFC Nations Cup
DF Jason Thomas (1997-01-20) 20 January 1997 (age 27) 27 1 Vanuatu Erakor Golden Star 2024 OFC Nations Cup
DF Lency Philip (1997-06-08) 8 June 1997 (age 27) 12 0 Vanuatu Classic 2024 OFC Nations Cup
DF Kerry Iawak (1996-03-16) 16 March 1996 (age 28) 5 0 Vanuatu Ifira Black Bird 2024 OFC Nations Cup
DF Samuel Kaloros (1989-09-16) 16 September 1989 (age 35) 4 0 Vanuatu Ifira Black Bird 2024 FIFA Series
DF Joseph Kalotiti 1 0 Vanuatu Pango Green Bird 2024 FIFA Series
DF Bethuel Ollie (1997-08-19) 19 August 1997 (age 27) 2 0 Vanuatu North Efate United 2023 Pacific Games
MF Bong Kalo (1997-01-18) 18 January 1997 (age 27) 27 4 Vanuatu ABM Galaxy 2024 OFC Nations Cup
MF Claude Aru (1997-04-25) 25 April 1997 (age 27) 14 1 Vanuatu North Efate United 2024 OFC Nations Cup
MF Barry Mansale (1995-11-01) 1 November 1995 (age 29) 11 1 Vanuatu Yatel 2024 OFC Nations Cup
MF Raoul Coulon (1995-12-03) 3 December 1995 (age 28) 3 0 Vanuatu Yatel 2023 Pacific Games
MF Jean Taussi (1996-07-17) 17 July 1996 (age 28) 3 0 Vanuatu Ifira Black Bird 2023 Pacific Games
MF Lee Taiwia (1995-12-23) 23 December 1995 (age 28) 0 0 Vanuatu Ifira Black Bird 2023 Pacific Games
FW Kensi Tangis (1991-12-19) 19 December 1991 (age 32) 36 9 Vanuatu ABM Galaxy 2024 OFC Nations Cup
FW Joe Moses (2002-05-22) 22 May 2002 (age 22) 9 2 Vanuatu ABM Galaxy 2024 OFC Nations Cup
FW Maliwan Thomas (2005-01-26) 26 January 2005 (age 19) 1 0 Vanuatu Tafea 2024 FIFA Series
FW Keshly Joseph 0 0 2024 FIFA Series
FW Azariah Soromon (1999-03-01) 1 March 1999 (age 25) 17 7 Australia Western Strikers 2023 Pacific Games

Player records

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As of 18 November 2024[11]
Players in bold are still active with Vanuatu.

Most appearances

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Rank Name Caps Goals Career
1 Kensi Tangis 39 9 2011–present
2 Richard Iwai 34 20 2000–2011
3 Etienne Mermer 33 15 1998–2008
Brian Kaltak 33 5 2011–present
5 Fedy Vava 30 2 2000–2012
Bong Kalo 30 5 2015–present
7 Lexa Bibi 29 2 2000–2004
Seimata Chilia 29 9 2000–2011
9 Pita David Maki 28 2 2000–2008
John Alick 28 2 2017–present

Top goalscorers

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Rank Name Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Richard Iwai 20 34 0.59 2000–2011
2 Tony Kaltack 15 16 0.94 2016–2019
Etienne Mermer 15 33 0.45 1998–2008
4 Seule Soromon 10 10 1 2007–2011
Azariah Soromon 10 26 0.38 2017–present
6 Jean Kaltack 9 8 1.13 2011–present
Seimata Chilia 9 29 0.31 2000–2011
Kensi Tangis 9 39 0.23 2011–present
9 Bill Nicholls 6 8 0.75 2015–2019
François Sakama 6 12 0.5 2007–2015
Robert Tasso 6 12 0.5 2011–2016

Competitive record

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FIFA World Cup

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FIFA World Cup record FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year Host Result Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1930 to 1986 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
1990  Italy Did not enter Did not enter
1994  United States Did not qualify 4 0 0 4 1 18
1998  France 2 0 1 1 2 3
2002  South Korea
 Japan 		4 1 0 3 11 21
2006  Germany 9 4 1 4 21 11
2010  South Africa 12 5 1 6 30 19
2014  Brazil 3 1 0 2 8 9
2018  Russia 3 1 0 2 3 8
2022  Qatar Withdrew Withdrew
2026  Canada
 Mexico
 United States 		To be determined To be determined
2030  Morocco
 Portugal
 Spain
2034  Saudi Arabia
Total 0/9 37 12 3 22 76 89

OFC Nations Cup

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Oceania Cup / OFC Nations Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Squad Pld W D L GF GA
as  New Hebrides
New Zealand 1973 Fourth place 4th 5 1 1 3 5 10 Squad No qualification
New Caledonia 1980 Group stage 7th 3 0 0 3 6 9 —
as  Vanuatu
Pacific Community 1996 Did not qualify 4 0 1 3 5 12
Australia 1998 Group stage 5th 2 0 0 2 2 13 Squad 4 2 1 1 8 6
French Polynesia 2000 Fourth place 4th 4 1 0 3 5 8 Squad 4 2 0 2 12 7
New Zealand 2002 4th 5 2 0 3 2 6 Squad Qualified automatically
Australia 2004 Group stage 6th 5 1 0 4 5 9 Squad 4 3 1 0 16 2
Pacific Community 2008 Fourth place 4th 6 1 1 4 5 13 Squad 6 4 0 2 25 6
Solomon Islands 2012 Group stage 5th 3 1 0 2 8 9 Squad Qualified automatically
Papua New Guinea 2016 7th 3 1 0 2 3 8 Squad
Fiji Vanuatu 2024 Runners-up 2nd 4 2 0 2 3 8 Squad
Total Runners-up 10/11 40 10 2 28 44 93 — 22 11 3 8 66 33

Pacific Games

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Pacific Games record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
as  New Hebrides
Fiji 1963 Group stage 6th 1 0 0 1 3 6
New Caledonia 1966 Third place 3rd 4 1 2 1 9 14
Papua New Guinea 1969 Group stage 5th 5 1 1 3 13 13
French Polynesia 1971 Runners-up 2nd 4 2 1 1 9 12
Guam 1975 Group stage 5th 2 0 0 2 1 6
Fiji 1979 Fifth place 5th 6 4 0 2 19 6
as  Vanuatu
Samoa 1983 Group stage 6th 1 0 0 1 0 6
New Caledonia 1987 Fourth place 4th 6 2 1 3 16 13
Papua New Guinea 1991 Fourth place 4th 5 2 0 3 9 8
French Polynesia 1995 Fourth place 4th 5 2 0 3 10 9
Fiji 2003 Third place 3rd 6 3 3 0 23 3
Samoa 2007 Third place 3rd 6 4 0 2 25 6
New Caledonia 2011 Group stage 6th 5 4 0 1 18 7
Papua New Guinea 2015 See Vanuatu national under-23 football team
Samoa 2019 Group stage 5th 4 2 1 1 25 2
Solomon Islands 2023 Semi-finals 4th 4 1 1 2 9 6
Total 15/15 0 Titles 64 28 10 26 189 117

Head-to-head record

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Up to matches played on 15 November 2024.

Team Pld W D L GF GA GD WPCT
 American Samoa 4 4 0 0 39 1 +38 100.00
 Australia 4 0 0 4 0 7 −7 0.00
 Brunei 1 0 0 1 2 3 −1 0.00
 Cook Islands 1 1 0 0 8 1 +7 100.00
 Estonia 1 0 0 1 0 1 −1 0.00
 Fiji 37 11 7 19 41 83 −42 29.73
 Guam 3 3 0 0 14 0 +14 100.00
 Guinea 1 0 0 1 0 6 −6 0.00
 India 1 0 0 1 0 1 −1 0.00
 Indonesia 1 0 0 1 0 6 −6 0.00
 Kiribati 1 1 0 0 18 0 +18 100.00
 Lebanon 1 0 0 1 1 3 −2 0.00
 Mongolia 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 100.00
 New Caledonia 40 8 7 25 45 101 −56 20.00
 New Zealand 15 1 0 14 11 73 −62 6.67
 Papua New Guinea 23 9 5 9 33 29 +4 39.13
 Samoa[a] 6 6 0 0 40 2 +38 100.00
 Solomon Islands 36 7 7 22 38 78 −40 19.44
 Tahiti 26 5 3 18 28 64 −36 19.23
 Tonga 5 5 0 0 33 2 +31 100.00
 Tuvalu 4 4 0 0 22 1 +21 100.00
 Wallis and Futuna 2 2 0 0 10 1 +9 100.00
Total 214 68 29 117 384 463 −79 31.78
Source: 1951–July 1980 results and July 1980–present results.
Notes:
  1. ^ Includes results as Western Samoa.

Honours

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Continental

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Regional

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Historical kits

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1987 Home
1992 Home
1992 Away
1999
2000 Home
2002 Home
2004 Home
2004 Away
2007
2009
2011 Home
2011 Away
2012 Home
2012 Away
2016 Home
2017 Home
2017 Away
2017
2019 Home
2022 Home
2022 Away
2024 Home
2024 Away

Sources:[12][13][14][15][16][17][18]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Mamrud, Roberto; Stokkermans, Karel. "Players with 100+ Caps and 30+ International Goals". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 28 June 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2011.
  2. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 24 October 2024. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  3. ^ "Vanuatu (New Hebrides) – List of International matches". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 11 February 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  4. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 21 November 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  5. ^ Sarkar, Uttiyo (4 June 2023). "Hero Intercontinental Cup Rival Watch: Vanuatu". khelnow.com. Khel Now India. Archived from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  6. ^ "New Zealand vs Vanuatu: live 29 june 2024. Team News, Preview, Lineups, Streaming, Sopcast | Soccer365". soccer365.me. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  7. ^ "New Zealand win record sixth OFC Nations Cup title". FIFA.com. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  8. ^ "Antigo(a) Vanuatu camisas de futebol". Archived from the original on 14 June 2017. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  9. ^ "La Fédération se résout à la "NON-PARTICIPATION" des cagous". New Caledonian Football Federation. 5 June 2024.
  10. ^ "Head Coach Juliano Schmeling 23-man squad for the PacificAus Sports Football Series". Twitter. Vanuatu Football Federation. 28 August 2024.
  11. ^ "Vanuatu". National Football Teams.
  12. ^ "ANOTANDO FÚTBOL - VANUATU". 2023.
  13. ^ "2007".
  14. ^ "2011".
  15. ^ "2012". YouTube. 5 June 2012.
  16. ^ "2017".
  17. ^ "2019". 6 March 2020.
  18. ^ "2024".

Notes

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[edit]