Solomon Islands are seeking revenge in tonight's international friendly against Vanuatu in Honiara.
The Melanesian rivals will square off for the first time since the Pacific Mini Games final 15 months ago, when Vanuatu triumphed 3-2 to claim the gold medal.
Solomon Islands and Vanuatu will renew their football rivalry at Lawson Tama Stadium. Photo: SIFF Media
Back on their home turf at Lawson Tama Stadium, Bonitos coach Moses Toata said his side is determined to right the ledger.
"I believe we are a different team now and also because we have a lot of changes done to the line-up," he said.
"The last time we played against Vanuatu was in the Pacific Mini Games and we lost in the finals. This is one of the motivating factors for the boys because they want to get a win as a revenge for that loss."
Moses Toata. Photo: OFC via Phototek
Vanuatu will be playing their first game under new head coach, Paul Munster, who has named Erakor Golden Star defender Jason Thomas as captain of a youthful squad, many of whom represented Vanuatu at the Under 20 World Cup in 2017.
Just a month into the job, Northern Irishman Munster said he will be using the friendly to assess his players.
"Just when I arrived they had the OFC competition coming up and actually Jason was in the game, so trying to watch as many games as possible, OFC games and the local leagues, watched eight or nine games before I could announced the squad," he said.
"Some players I knew about, obviously doing some research but as a coach you need to be looking on your own eyes to see what players you could see."
Captains and coaches from Solomon Islands and Vanuatu front the media. Photo: SIFF Media
"So short period of time, the players who are coming here they have to impress to stay in the team because I know there are more players that we haven't brought here that will be competing for the first team, so it's competition but the players, lots of young lads coming here also for the experience.
"Just getting everyone together, getting the good feeling, you know it's international football, it's not every week, it's when you have the time to have it, you have to get the team as quick as possible."
Veteran striker Benjamin Totori will captain a Solomon Islands side that also includes influential Auckland City midfielder Micah Lea'alafa and debutant striker Raynick Laeta from Henderson Eels.
Moses Toata is backing his side to get the job done.
"They have a very good coach now but I've known the players for quite a while and I know what they can do, their capabilities," he said.
"And I also have a couple of players from my club (Solomon Warriors) who are now playing for Vanuatu so I have a basic idea of what they're going to do and for me it's not important what they do but it's what we do that I'm focusing on."
Solomon Islands captain Benjamin Totori and Vanuatu captain Jason Thomas. Photo: SIFF Media
Following Monday night's clash, Solomon Islands will travel to Chinese Taipei for another friendly clash on Sunday.
Fiji host New Caledonia in another Oceania football friendly at ANZ Stadium in Suva this evening, in the first match of a tri series that also features Mauritius.
