Coach Emerson couldn’t conceal his pride as he assessed the performance of the Vanuatu U15s team. Despite an unexpected 3-all draw against a formidable local U15 side, Emerson commended his team’s effort and expressed satisfaction with their display.
The result came as a surprise, considering the exceptional performance exhibited by his boys throughout the match. Emerson stressed the significance of such competitions in providing valuable experiences to the players, enabling them to navigate through defeats, draws, and victories.
“I am tremendously proud of these boys,” Coach Emerson remarked. “Competitions like this are crucial in molding mentally resilient players who can face challenges head-on. There is no point in playing against weaker teams and being deceived by empty victories. I take pride in contributing to the development of our football and witnessing the growth of Vanuatu’s football prowess.”
The Vanuatu U15s team will continue their journey in the OFC U15 Youth Development Program Tournament on Tuesday 18 April. In their first scheduled game, they secured a 1-all draw against Fiji, ultimately prevailing 3-2 in the penalty shootout.
This development program is specifically designed to nurture football academy squads from OFC member countries. It encompasses various aspects, including international travel, competitive matches, and engaging sessions with prominent figures like Christian Karembeu from Lifou Island in New Caledonia. Karembeu, who was part of the French team that triumphed in the FIFA World Cup in Paris in 1998, serves as an invaluable source of inspiration for the young players.
The Vanuatu U15s team’s journey in the tournament has already instilled pride and provided them with valuable experiences, contributing to their growth in the sport. They continue to forge connections with players and officials from other member countries, making this program a remarkable and influential chapter in their football development.
