Vanuatu lost 1-3 to Lebanon in their first match of the four-nation Hero Intercontinental Cup Tournament on Friday, June 9.
As anticipated by Coach Etienne Mermer during the team talk before the game, the 99th FIFA-ranked Lebanon side started the match with intense pressure from the beginning.
Led by team Captain Brian Kaltak and Jason Thomas, the Vanuatu defense successfully contained their opponents, holding them to a scoreless first half.
Young Olympic Team goalkeeper Massing Kalotang made some fantastic saves in the first half, denying Lebanon from scoring despite their numerous attacks.
Godine Tenene made a strong run down the left flank and unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box, using his right foot. However, Lebanon’s goalkeeper Ali Sabeh positioned himself well to comfortably save the shot.
Jonathan SpokeyJack also rose high to head an Azariah Soromon free kick from the right side of the field, but the ball missed the target.
Lebanon scored their first goal from a well-executed corner kick, but Vanuatu quickly equalized a few minutes later.
SpokeyJack was brought down at the edge of the box, resulting in a free kick. Jean Pierre Taussi stepped up and successfully sent the ball over Lebanon’s defensive wall. Although the goalkeeper managed to deflect the shot, it fell into the path of John Wohale, who tapped it into the net, leveling the score at 1-1.
Lebanon capitalized on two defensive errors by Vanuatu to score one more goal from a corner and a second goal from the penalty spot, making it 3-1.
However, it became evident that the players were affected by fatigue from the long travel to Bhubaneswar and the high humidity at the Kalinga Stadium.
Tenene had to be carried off the field on a stretcher after his shot on goal, and Captain Kaltak could not continue into the second half due to a minor muscle cramp. Soromon also had to be substituted due to a muscle cramp.
In the second match of the day, hosts India defeated Mongolia 2-0.
The team will be back in action on Monday, June 12. Mongolia will face Lebanon in the first game, while Vanuatu will take on hosts India in the second match of the day.
