By Vourie Molivakoro
Copyright dailypost
The Vanuatu national futsal team, known as the Gideons, are expected to depart the country today for Suva, Fiji, where they will compete in the OFC Men’s Futsal Cup from September 20 to 24.
Led by Head Coach Tito Quai and Assistant Coach Terry Malapa, the 14-man squad will open their campaign against tournament hosts Fiji on Day 1 at Vodafone Arena.
The Gideons will then play in a round-robin format against New Zealand, Tuvalu, and the Solomon Islands, as they aim for a strong showing leading into the grand final on September 24.
Ahead of their departure, the team held a dedication worship service at their training camp near the IDS facility in Pango on Sunday, marking their final team gathering before flying out.
The service was led by Coach Ben Hungai, who also serves as the National Futsal Development Officer for the Vanuatu Football Federation (VFF).
Coach Hungai shared an encouraging message, urging the players to anchor their journey in faith.
“To achieve your goals, you must first trust in God, and then believe in yourselves,” Hungai told the squad. “With unity and the right mindset, you can overcome any challenge.”
Players and staff also took time to reflect on their individual and collective journeys, sharing personal experiences and addressing the challenges ahead as they prepare to face some of Oceania’s strongest futsal teams.
In a fresh development ahead of the tournament, the Vanuatu Football Federation has appointed Gary Mahina, President of the Chapuis Sports Development Program, as Team Manager for the Gideons’ campaign in Fiji.
Mahina’s leadership is expected to strengthen off-field support for the players as they focus on performance and teamwork throughout the tournament.
The Vanuatu Gideons head into the OFC Men’s Futsal Cup with determination, hoping to build on their previous regional performances.
The team has been in intensive training for several weeks and now looks to test its strength against some of the Pacific’s top futsal nations.
The squad’s performance in the group stage will be crucial, with only the top teams progressing to the semi-finals and ultimately, the final match on September 24.
