Vanuatu out to topple New Zealand after dispatching Fiji 2-1 in OFC Nations Cup semifinal

Vanuatu are gearing up to take on the defending champion All Whites for the OFC Nations Cup silverware with A-League star Brian Kaltak ready to make history.

It is turning into quite a year for Vanuatu as they celebrate their 90th anniversary.

Already their national captain Kaltak has swept up a hat-trick of trophies with his Australian club side Central Coast Mariners, and now he has led his country to their first-ever OFC Nations Cup final after an enthralling 2-1 semi-final win over their Melanesian rivals Fiji in Port Vila.

The All-Whites will start as hot favourites on Sunday having already beaten the host nation comfortably by four goals to nil when the two sides met during the group stage.

But Vanuatu’s semi-final Man of the Match, Jonathan Spokeyjack, believes the wildly enthusiastic crowd in Port Vila can play a key role in lifting the team, while captain Kaltak will inspire on the field.

Five-time champions New Zealand ran past Tahiti 5-nil in their semifinal in Port Vila on Thursday.

– RNZ/ABC