Vanuatu

It is anticipated that the international friendly will be an exciting and entertaining match for the soccer-mad nation of Solomon Islands.

In their last international friendly in 2011, Vanuatu defeated Solomon Islands 1-0 and there is no doubt that they are keeping this at their back of their mind to maintain the winning record.

Tomorrow’s friendly match is going to be the eighth time that both teams have met to help each other prepare for bigger games.

In their first friendly in 2004, Solomon Islands won 2-1 and lost 1-2 in the away game.

There's already widespread opposition in Vanuatu for the new tax plan which aims to introduce among other things income tax and corporate tax by July next year.

RNZI reports the ILO's regional wage expert Daniel Kostzer said a recently released review of the proposed tax plan shows government had done a lot more consultations on the proposed reforms but it had failed to take most of the concerns raised into consideration.

Solomon Islands Football Federation Media and Public Relations Officer, Joseph Boso said they have made an arrangement with Vanuatu national team for an International friendly but that will be confirmed tomorrow.

Mr Boso said once they receive the confirmation the game will be held on Thursday.

The international friendly is to prepare the Solomon Islands National team ahead for the World Cup Qualifier against New Zealand in September.

The match will be the third Test between the Melanesian neighbours in what is turning into a fierce on-field rivalry.

The Solomon Islands will be looking for their first victory after Vanuatu scored two late come from behind victories in their 2013 encounter in Mackay (Australia) and most recent 24-15 defeat in Port Vila (Vanuatu) in 2016.

Mr Minogue said the trip was important with less than 6 months now to go before the Games to obtain a first-hand update on progress and to ensure that all Government support is in place.

The Pacific Games Authority confirmed that the remaining funds required by Van2017 will be forwarded to the Organizing Committee in accordance within an agreed to cash flow and under special considerations drafted by the State Law Office.

Preparations are progressing well to accommodate over 2400 athletes and officials coming from 24 countries in the region including New Zealand and Australia.

No budget was allocated specifically for Game Villages, so Van2017 will be using five schools as the games villages.

These schools are Lycee, INTV, Ecole D’Anabrou, Fresh Wota and Central School.

 Although there are five schools, Van2017 is looking at them as only 3 village sites because three schools are in close proximity.

Lycee, INTV and Ecole D’Naburu will be classed as only one village.

The quake was recorded at a depth of 175 km and was located about 115 km north of Vanuatu's Santo island just before 2 am New Zealand time, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said.

There was no immediate tsunami warning or any reports of damage or casualties.

Up for grabs is a berth in the final qualifying tournament for next year's World T20 Championships in the West Indies.

The PNG Lewas are strong favourites after winning last year's 50 over regional qualifier in Apia.

They're up against Vanuatu in today's opening round in Sano and assistant coach Arua Dikana backed them to do well.

"The last couple of months we've been training well in PNG," he said.

"We are really good at the moment and we have some players who can win matches and cricket is a funny game where we expect anything.

Members of the Malvatumauri, Vaturisu and Fat-Kor-Pau Council of Chiefs in partnership with representatives of the Vanuatu Government, Vanuatu Kaljorol Senta (cultural centre) and Van2017 assembled in a quaint yet significant ceremony in the newly opened Nakamal Blong ol Jif for the unveiling and blessing of the “Sagoa” (pronounced Sangoa), witnessed by Van2017 Sponsors, the media and members of the public on Wednesday April 19.

Dwellers opened their account in the 8th minute after Raymond Gunemba slotted one past Naruel Maliu.

The Lae boys kept the pressure on and it was 2-0 minutes out from the break when Peter Dabinyaba Jr. fired a shot into the nets.

Vanuatu’s Revivors were let right back into the match on the stroke of half-time through an own goal from Gunemba.

It came from a corner kick from John Alick that slipped through Gunemba’s legs knocking it into his own goal.

This fired up the Dwellers who came out hungry for more points in the second half.