Vanuatu national men’s team eyes a strong finish in the MSG Prime Ministers Cup 2024 after climbing to third position.

The Vanuatu national men’s football team is ready to take on Papua New Guinea this Saturday, December 21, in their next match at the MSG Prime Ministers Cup 2024 in the Solomon Islands.

Despite early losses in the tournament, the team has shown significant improvement, including a comeback win against the Solomon Islands Development Team last weekend with a 3-1 victory. This followed a tough 4-1 defeat to the Solomon Islands National Team.

Under the guidance of head coach Juliano Schmeling, the team has been working on strategies to secure a win against PNG. The current standings place Solomon Islands at the top of the table with 6 points, followed by PNG and Vanuatu with 4 points each. Fiji sits at fourth with 2 points, while the Solomon Islands Development Team is at the bottom with no points.

Vanuatu’s recent performance, including their draw and win against Fiji, has allowed them to rise to third place, overtaking Fiji. Saturday’s match against PNG will be critical in determining their final position in the tournament.

The MSG Prime Ministers Cup 2024, featuring top Melanesian teams, has seen competitive matches this year. New Caledonia is the only nation absent from this tournament.

A win for Vanuatu this weekend could mark a strong finish and set a positive tone for future regional tournaments.

Photo Credits: Vanuatu Football Federation