Vanuatu’s Brian Kaltak. OFC Men’s Nations Cup 2024, Final, New Zealand v Vanuatu, VFF Freshwater Stadium, Port Vila, Sunday 30 June 2024. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / www.phototek.nz
Central Coast Mariners defender Brian Kaltak will lead the Vanuatu men’s football team in their Oceania World Cup qualifiers in New Zealand this week.
Vanuatu Daily Post reports that the defender was named captain by head coach Juliano Schmeling.
The side will meet New Zealand at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Friday.
They then square off against Tahiti at the Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland on November 18th.
Meanwhile, the All Whites have named a full-strength squad for their two home games against Vanuatu and Samoa.
Head coach Darren Bazeley said that qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is the absolute priority.
“It is great to welcome back Joe Bell, Callum McCowatt, Sarpreet Singh, and Finn Surman to the squad, as well as Francis de Vries for the first time in over a year after a great start with Auckland FC,” he said.
“It is always special to name a player for their debut, but Liam Gillion has earned his call-up after some really impressive performances for Auckland FC to start his professional career.
He said it is getting more challenging to select an All Whites squad with the amount of players around the world now pushing for selection.
But he added these are the kinds of challenges you want as a coach.
“Connection and culture are really important for this team, so it is special to be playing so many games at home, giving us the opportunity to engage with the country as we continue the journey to earn our place back at the FIFA World Cup.”
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