Vanuatu player trains with the team in Canberra, ahead of the PacificAus Sports Four Nations Tournament. Photo: Tiff Williams/Football Australia
The Vanuatu and Solomon Islands national women's soccer teams are going all out to learn what they can at this week's PacificAus Sports Four Nations Tournament in Canberra.
Both teams have the opportunity to play against Australia and Thailand Under-20s women's national sides.
At the same time, they will get the chance to clash in a Melanesian derby, on February 25.
Vanuatu player Rita Solomon told Australia Football that they have a lot of players who will be appearing in the national colours for the first time at the event.
She said playing against opponents lined-up would give them the opportunity to learn what they can, as they begin their national careers.
"Most of the girls in the team, it is the first time they are appearing for the national team," Solomon said.
"Playing against Australia and Thailand is a privilege because we don't really play at this high-level and we are looking forward to it."
She said they are going to use the tournament as preparation for June's OFC Women's Nations Championship in Fiji.
Playing against Australia for the first time will also be a big learning experience, Solomon said.
"It is kinda like a privilege because some of us it is going to be the first time playing against the Australian team, and it is another level," she said.
A Solomon Islands player training with the team in Canberra, ahead of the PacificAus Sports Four Nations Tournament. Photo: Tiff Williams/Football Australia
Solomon Islands player Claudia Votu said it will be an exciting week, especially meeting Australia and Thailand.
"We, in the Solomon Islands, can also do it, we can play here," she said.
"Girls can also play football. We are all excited to be here, especially to play matches with the other teams."
Football Australia said the tournament is supported by the Australian Government, through the PacificAus Sports program, and builds on foundations set during the 2022 edition, with the expansion bringing together the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) through women's football for the first time since successfully co-hosting the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023.
Football Australia head of national teams Gary Moretti said they welcome the senior women's national teams of Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, along with the Thailand U-20 Women's National Team.
Australia's U-20 player Sienna Saveska said she and the team are excited to be playing against both the Solomons and Vanuatu plus Thailand, adding the teams will present physical challenges for the hosts.
"It's a big thing. Most of us girls play against women in the A-League, week in, week out," she said.
"But to play against other countries to see what they bring is a a good thing as well. I think they will be very physical, which is a good thing for us.
"We are more a technical and tactical side and probably that will bring out the physical side of us and I am looking forward to it."
