Upon arriving at Tafuna International Airport, the Vanuatu U17 Soccer Team delegation were greeted with ulas and treated to fresh cool niu by our local FIFA Soccer officials.

“This is our first time here and the closest we have gotten to any American soil and it feels good to be here on a sports mission to grab the championship title in Soccer! We’ll give it our best and I am sure — we did not just come this far to just be here — we are here to get it, so bring it on!” stated team coach Mermer Etienne.

When asked for the name or number of his best player, the coach said, “The twenty we’ve selected for this meet are all our best of the best in our country — most of all the best in Oceania when we take the championship!”

The spirited coach and his team are lodging at Tradewinds and practicing at the Kanana Fou Field — if anyone wants to see what’s in store for the games, which begin Tuesday next week.

Read more and more photos in the sports section.