Vanuatu dreams of beating the All Whites again on 20th anniversary

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Vanuatu created the biggest upset in Oceania football history when they beat the All Whites at the 2004 Oceania Nations Cup. 20 years later, Vanuatu will once again be hoping to beat New Zealand in front of their passionate home fans tomorrow.

The 4-2 win at Adelaide’s Coopers Stadium did not earn Vanuatu any medals or qualification for major tournaments, but speaking of the heroes of 2004, it is clear that the victory was a defining moment for their national football and the players who took part in it.

When asked about that glorious night, Captain David Chilia’s face glowed like a candle.

“We play with all our heart and hope to go down in Vanuatu’s history,” the former goalkeeper said with a smile.

His cousin Seimata Chilia said the match was the most glorious moment in 90 years of Vanuatu football and the players of the local clubs have been proud of their glorious achievements for two decades.

“We always talk about that game; we’ll never forget that time. It’s our history. We all cried after the game, thank God,” Chilia recalled.

While the Vanuatu veterans are eager to relive the memories of Coopers Stadium, then New Zealand captain Ryan Neilson would rather forget the match.

He recalls how the 2004 Oceania Nations Cup was marred by a power struggle within the management team, which included coach Mick Waite, assistant coach Ricky Herbert and technical director Paul Smalley, but is quick to point out that they were simply beaten by a stronger team on the night.

“They bullied us, they were more aggressive, faster, more powerful, mentally stronger. They deserved it, they are a very good team,” said Nelson, who still couldn’t believe how the team could be distracted by off-field drama.

“Everyone in the coaching staff and management team was taking sides and that got to the players and it became a bad atmosphere.

“But it didn’t affect Vanuatu. We came here with a bad mentality.”

“We were so naive that Vanuatu just took advantage of us.”

While the New Zealand team had their own difficulties, the club players from Port Vila and surrounding villages faced many other challenges before their moment of glory.

The amateur players from Vanuatu began their month-long tour, first playing in the qualifying group stage in Samoa before immediately heading to Adelaide for the Oceania Football Confederation Nations Cup.

“It was very hot in Samoa and then we flew straight into the Adelaide winter and we didn’t have any gear with us so we were very cold,” Semata Chilia explained.

Thankfully, Vanuatu head coach Carlos Bazzetti is an Adelaide local who appeals to the local community.

“Our coach Buzzetti asked the media if anyone wanted to support the Vanuatu team. A lot of Adelaide companies and people gave us all kinds of things – clothes, long coats and food,” the midfielder said, adding that most of the players were still wearing the same boots they wore to the Pacific Games a year ago.

Buzzetti was known for his booming voice and passion for the game, but his agitation saw him sent off after just 15 minutes against New Zealand.

“We got together and said let’s just follow the game plan that the coach taught us and do whatever he wants,” Chilia recalled, adding that being sacked did not deter the Vanuatu coach.

“He was sitting in the stands but he was still shouting at us, coaching us, he never stopped,” he said with a smile after scoring the opening goal in the 37th minute.

He added: “That goal gave us a big boost and the coach shouted even louder after that.”

Captain David Chilia also remembers the All Whites launching a fierce attack on Vanuatu after the half-time break, sending out their record scorer Vaughan Coveny, who promptly headed home the equaliser.

“But even then, they equalised and we just kept fighting and as New Zealand fought back hard, we were able to fight back,” the former captain said.

Vanuatu’s tactics were very effective, with the lightning-fast islanders launching three deadly counterattacks against the New Zealanders, completed by Lexa Bibi, Victor Maleb and Alphoso Qorig.

A year ago, Mahreb predicted he would score after failing to score in an Olympic qualifier against New Zealand in Auckland.

“Victor promised the team that he would get his share of goals and he ended up scoring our third goal,” Chilia recalled how shocked the New Zealand team was after the final whistle.

“They were completely stunned. They thought they were going to beat us and play Australia in the play-offs, but they realised straight away they were out.”

Incredibly, Vanuatu TV never aired the most famous match in the country’s history and only planned to show the match against Australia.

David Chilia said players were given VHS tapes of the game, but most were lost in the hurricane and the last tape was damaged.

“The match was not broadcast on YouTube, so our future generations will never be able to watch that famous match.”

The lack of television coverage only added to the mystique of their famous night, with the team receiving a hero’s welcome upon their return to Port Vila.

“When we came back, some of us stopped playing and started coaching and started development programmes, bringing in new players,” said the former captain, who currently coaches Premier League side Tupigi Imeri, with cousin Semata as his assistant.

“In training I tell the young players you are lucky because you have two heroes at the club. One scored against New Zealand and the other is the captain.

While the Vanuatu players became living legends, their opponents were heavily criticised by the international football media and their global reputation plummeted.

“We hit rock bottom and fell apart,” lamented former captain Nelson.

“That’s what most teams have to go through before they can metamorphose, climb and rise. From there, we started to build and restructure the team and found our way to the top in 2010,” Nelson said of the World Cup in South Africa™, when New Zealand made history by remaining unbeaten after draws with Slovakia, Italy and Paraguay.

Nelson said the Adelaide United defeat was a tough lesson for the team and himself as captain, which prompted him to never let outside events affect his team like they did in 2004.

“I think you have to go through these situations to learn and grow. In hindsight, you say, wow, how could we let this affect us like that?”

“Nevertheless, this does not take away from the fact that the Vanuatu team played well on the night.”

Tomorrow, Vanuatu will be hoping for another upset and the Chilia brothers believe the current squad is in a better position with players like Australian A-League champion Brian Kaltak, professional support around the team and a full house of passionate fans at the VFF Freshwater Stadium.

“In 2004, we were all locals and had nothing. Now, we have professional players on the team and everything,” David Chilia said.

“So if we can beat New Zealand in Adelaide without any supporters, then they must believe they can beat New Zealand in their own country, in front of a full stadium.”

One player in the Vanuatu squad who has been eagerly awaiting a rematch of the 2004 World Cup is defender Jared Clark.

Clarke grew up in Adelaide and was on the sidelines at the age of six watching his mother’s home country beat New Zealand.

“I can’t remember too many details about the game, but I was running around the field cheering with my mum and dad,” said Clarke, who plays for Belgrade FC in the South Australian Premier League.

The 26-year-old defender, who only recently received a Vanuatu passport following the easing of dual citizenship rules, said he was delighted to represent his mother’s side of the family.

“When dual citizenship became available, I jumped at the opportunity.”

Clarke got his first taste of playing at home in the Oceania Football Association Nations Cup opener against the Solomon Islands and was blown away by the enthusiasm in the stands.

“It was crazy, the crowd was so big and every time we touched the ball you could hear them screaming. It was the biggest crowd I’ve ever played in and it was an amazing experience.”

Clarke said he couldn’t wait to play in front of the same crowd as New Zealand in Friday’s match.

“It’s special to be back here again after that game 20 years ago, especially at home in Port Vila.”

—Oxygen-free copper