Vanuatu's coaching staff have challenged the players to break their goalscoring duck in tomorrow's final group match at the Oceania Nations Cup in Port Moresby.
The Melanesians were pipped 1-0 in their Group B opener against Solomon Islands at the weekend and thumped 5-0 by tournament favourites New Zealand on Tuesday.
Vanuatu failed to score in their opening two matches at the Nations Cup. Photo: OFC iv Phototek
Head coach Moise Poida has refused to speak to media but team manager Harry Attison said a clear message has been delivered to the players ahead of tomorrow's match against Fiji.
"The management have told the players we haven't scored any goals so far. We have to score goals tomorrow and also we played Fiji last year in November - in two friendlies we beat them - and tomorrow is a different thing so the coach reminded the players we have no goals yet for Vanuatu so it's important for them to think seriously," he said.
"Everybody knows we lost two good games where we were supposed to maybe draw or win but we lost so tomorrow's game against Fiji is a must win for Vanuatu - not just 1-0 but we have to increase the number a little bit and hope for New Zealand do us a favour against Solomon Islands. It's a big game for Vanuatu players tomorrow against Fiji."
Vanuatu is fourth in Group B with zero points from two games and need to finish in the top three to advance to the next stage of World Cup qualifying.
Vanuatu's Bill Nichols celebrates a goal in a 2-1 win against Fiji last year. Photo: Vanuatu Football Federation
