Vanuatu began their Oceania Under 20 football campaign in emphatic fashion, crushing American Samoa 7-0 in South Auckland yesterday.
Pascal Chabot bagged a double as the Melanesians warmed up for tomorrow's pivotal clash with Fiji by finding plenty of space in behind the opposition defenders.
Head coach Moise Poida says while American Samoa are not of the same standard as Fiji or Papua New Guinea he was pleased with the team's performance.
"We play very well in all areas - defenders, midfielders, strikers. The combinations are fine, I'm very happy with that. We can - a little bit something to work for is some finishing and that's it."
Meanwhile Fiji were held to a surprise 0-0 draw by Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands had a comfortable 3-1 win over New Caledonia in Group B.
Friday is a rest day before Saturday sees Vanuatu clash with Fiji first up.
Then it's American Samoa against Papua New Guinea before the hosts, New Zealand, begin their tournament against the Solomon Islands.
