The Vanuatu national football team is calling for support from Vanuatu fans as they compete in the MSG Prime Ministers Cup currently taking place in Papua New Guinea.

Team manager Harry Atison shared the message following the team’s first matches and the ongoing selection process, urging fans to encourage the players positively on social media. He highlighted that many players and officials have families back in Vanuatu while representing the country in a major Melanesian football event.

“As the team manager and president of PV League, I thank our young footballers. We have a lot of new players ,six of them are completely new. We need to look at the future. Many make comments, but we cannot use the same people all the time. Support is welcome, but comment with education and respect ,we all have families,” Atison said.

He emphasized the pride of representing Vanuatu on an international stage:

“We are not representing ourselves; we are representing Vanuatu in the PM Cup. We need support, we need to improve, and while our facilities are poor, we aim to do our best. I want to thank everybody.”

So far, after completing their first matches, the men’s team drew with the host country, while the PNG women’s team defeated Vanuatu. The team is now focused on preparations for their next matches next week.

The men’s team’s next game will be against one of Oceania’s football powerhouses, Fiji.