Vanuatu began its 2026 World Cup Qualifiers campaign with a decisive 4-1 victory over Samoa at VFF Freshwater Stadium in Port Vila.
Under the guidance of coach Juliano Schmeling, Vanuatu launched an aggressive offense right from the start, with experienced striker Alex Saniel scoring just seven minutes into the match. Captain Brian Kaltak assisted speedy forward John Alick to extend Vanuatu’s advantage, making it 2-0 in the 37th minute as they headed into halftime with the upper hand.
Samoa managed to score in the 55th minute against the run of play. Substitute striker Nathan Viliamu capitalized on a counterattack initiated by Dauntae Mariner, sprinting past the Vanuatu defense before successfully placing the ball into an open net.
However, Vanuatu quickly regained control as Alick netted his second goal just two minutes later. They maintained their offensive momentum, creating various scoring opportunities until Bong Kalo struck a remarkable goal from outside the box in stoppage time, ensuring a comprehensive win.
Both teams will return to action during the November FIFA international window, facing Group B opponents New Zealand and Tahiti in matches set to take place in Hamilton and Auckland.