In preparation for the upcoming AFC U17 Asian Cup qualifiers in Kuwait this October, the Joeys, fresh off being crowned champions of Southeast Asia, arrived for one of their more unique assignments imaginable in recent history: a conquest of Oceania and the Pacific, namely the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
Port Vila's new Fresh Water Stadium was the site for the Joeys' third and final match. (Image: Football Australia)
The precedent and shared relationship between Australia and the Pacific nations in any sporting context are undoubtedly intriguing and nuanced prospects. However, in exploring the week that was, it is worth noting that the tour led to much conjecture both on and off the pitch.
This discussion is likely owing to questions around the exact squads and quality of the opponents, the subsequent results obtained, and the origins of how exactly this tour was all organised. The more poignant off-field questions are worth exploring to understand the context behind this tour of the Pacific.
However, staying on the field for now, mixed fortunes greeted the Australians, who assembled a squad from the recent success in Thailand, along with those who excelled at the July National Youth Championships, helping manager Brad Maloney experiment with more cards in the deck.
Starting things off in Honiara, a physical contest set the tone for a determined, if not quite surprised, Australian squad. Anthony Didulica scored the opening goal and embraced his teammates, who would take the lead into the sheds at the half.
The lead was maintained until both sides rotated further, with Solomons' physical nature and direct style finding a breakthrough in the 72nd minute that would later be doubled to ice off a decent overall performance for the hosts.
However, lessons were to be learned for the second fixture, as Australia noticeably came out with a far more attacking style in the early proceedings and maintained an advantage that they were not going to lose.
Max Naylor's powerful finish gave the tourists a 2-0 lead within 16 minutes, and a goalkeeping error helped the Joeys put a third goal away within half an hour.
The tactical prowess and ability to overcome the Solomons' physical advantage from matchday one proved to be a huge asset for Maloney and the team, who would win 3-1.
Having flown from Honiara to the comforting surrounds of the new Fresh Water Stadium in Port Vila for the series finale, match three was a tale of two halves. With Logan Sambrook getting Australia off to a fantastic start, the lead was doubled on the stroke of half-time, only for Vanuatu to rally late and rescue a draw; 3-3 being the full-time scoreline.
Melbourne City's Daniel Matina on the ball. (Image: Football Australia)
This series proved to be a tale of physicality at the hands of Pacific squads, partly due to the age gap between the teams.
As a consequence of the overall results, many in online football forums were extremely quick to lay out the pitchforks, decrying that Australian youth football cannot suffer a much worse fate than a loss and a draw against sides from the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC).
But as always, context is important; something comments sections on the internet cannot always be trusted with applying when being so judgmental of such results.
To even the playing field and likely done on the grounds of player availability at this point of the respective World Cup cycles between the U17 and U20 programs, the Joeys' current U16 program came up against the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu's current U19 teams.
The Solomon Islands and Vanuatu were equally, if not more, match-fit given that the OFC U19 Championship had only concluded last month. This Solomons side finished third at the tournament on July 22nd, narrowly missing out on a place at the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile.
In contrast, Vanuatu finished last in Group B, though they had only been together as the national squad of a notably older age group for essentially three months. They also qualified for Group B through an extra round of tournament play and competitive fixtures.
Make no mistake, this extra match fitness, combined with the travel demands on the Joeys squad and the physical difference supplied by the older players, was also aimed at being an equalising factor.
Though the metrics of the coming results did not suit the particular narrative the general public may have wanted, the squad has experienced an important learning curve and a culturally significant time on tour.
Ironically enough, the Joeys will next take on the Micronesian US territory, the Northern Mariana Islands, in their first match of the Asian Cup cycle in Kuwait on October 23rd, perhaps making the venture even more relevant.
The venture, from its off-field aims, is also a theme worth exploring from this tournament. It is important to understand that a government agency, PacificAus Sports, branded and funded the tour to begin with.
To understand exactly what and who PacificAus Sports are, one can look no further than their apparent imprint in a part of the world desperate for sports to be a driving force in their respective societies.
The obvious gestures of goodwill are noticed here, such as the increased infrastructure, the referee courses held in Honiara to benefit the region as a result of the tour, and the increased profile of the games and opposition, all noted for their importance in raising the profile and semi-professionalism in Oceania recently.
Much good continues to be fostered by the respective bodies and powers that be, but their motive is still up for debate. The honest answer may be jarring for some, but what this organisation actually exists for is fascinating.
It is undoubtedly geopolitically savvy in the current climate to correct the course of Australia's relations with nations in the Pacific and their constant strife from not only natural disasters but also climate change, which many at the international parliamentary level already raise major concerns over.
There is also China's increasing influence, which the Australian Government aims to dispel and restrict. The program's use of sport as a means of soft power can assist this and make claims to nations in the Melanesian block, specifically that Australia can offer aid through sport in a way superior to other Asian nations on their doorstep.
However, before digging into that bottomless rabbit hole, it is worth noting that this tour is hardly PacificAus Sports' first time dabbling in the football scene.
Football Australia would have benefitted from funding for the futsal tours Australia took to the Solomon Islands, the frequent World Cup participants, as well as bringing that same Solomons squad to New South Wales for matches in the immediate aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
PacificAus Sports has also previously funded a Futsalroos tour to Honiara. (Image: PacificAus Sports)
So, with the questions and criticisms in mind, here is a look at how the organisation describes itself, taken from the same press statements released during the week in lieu of a new "renewed partnership" between FA and football in emerging Pacific nations.
"PacificAus Sports is an Australian Government sports diplomacy initiative developing pathways for Pacific teams and athletes to compete in elite competitions and access high-performance coaching in Australia and internationally," Fiji women’s national team player Adi Litia Bakaniceva said.
The use of the word diplomacy probably does more to support the more sceptical viewpoint here than any of those in favour of the partnership would like to admit.
Football Australia Chair Anter Isaac, no doubt aware of the stronger ties bonded with the government and the wider effect this could have on the sport, also felt the need to make a very strong comment praising the PacificAus Sports organisation.
"Australian football has many natural connections and intersections with the Pacific through a long-shared history of the game in this region. The surge in interest and inspiration for the game across the Pacific, particularly after our co-hosting of the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand™, is undeniable," he stated.
"We are proud to continue our partnership with the Australian Government through the PacificAus Sports program, which will support the advancement of elite football throughout the Pacific and facilitate further international matches between Australian and Pacific national teams. Additionally, this partnership will enhance the development of players, match officials, and administrators from Pacific nations."
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More tangible sources on the topic also commented on the relationship between Football Australia and football in the Pacific region.
President of the Oceania Football Confederation Lambert Maltock made it clear that the intended audience was undoubtedly the powers that be, potentially even lingering the extra question as to whether or not FIFA have been involved in a desperate urge to help the region.
"OFC and Football Australia have a long-standing relationship that spans decades since Australia was once part of our confederation. We are excited to see this partnership between Football Australia and the Australian Government flourish through the PacificAus Sports program," he stated.
"This program will not only strengthen our ties and relationships with both parties, but it will promote the development of elite football across the Pacific region. At OFC, our priorities are Development, Education, and High Performance with football, and our Member Associations are at the core of all we do, and I can see that this initiative will accomplish some of what we have set out to achieve.
"It is always a pleasure to collaborate with Australia closely as we have a joint goal in creating a high-performance environment both on and off the pitch."
With these comments in mind, we may also be curious to see how the landscape changes, what the motives will be, if the standards will change, and just how much the government is willing to push a foreign game well along its way.
As for the on-pitch affairs, the tone has been firmly set for the Joeys to go above and beyond to achieve further success within the Asian and international ranks as a result of this tour.
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