Australia-based Jared Clark and Mitch Cooper missing in Vanuatu’s squad for international fixtures

The omission of Mitch Cooper of Hume City and Jared Clark of FK Beograd from the Vanuatu national team’s Intercontinental Cup squad has raised eyebrows and sparked questions about the reasoning behind their exclusion. The national team, led by coach Etienne Mermer, is set to face Lebanon, India, and Mongolia in what presents a great opportunity for exposure against national teams from the Asian continent. However, the absence of these two talented players from the squad means that Vanuatu will not be heading into these matches with their full force.

Mitch Cooper, an attacking midfielder with experience in the A-League, has been a crucial contributor for Vanuatu in recent matches. With an impressive tally of five goals in seven appearances for his country, his exclusion from the Intercontinental Cup squad is surprising. Cooper’s ability to create chances and find the back of the net would undoubtedly be missed by Vanuatu against tough opposition.

Similarly, Jared Clark, a central defender who has been actively involved with NPL SA’s Beograd, has also been left out of the squad. Despite making his full debut for Vanuatu last year in a friendly against Fiji. Clark, in conversation with Oceania Football Center, stated that he was not contacted by the Vanuatu Football Federation regarding his call-up for the three upcoming friendly matches.

While the exact reasons for their exclusion remain unclear, it is crucial for the Vanuatu Football Federation to address these concerns and provide public explanations. The fans, who have witnessed the impact and contributions of Cooper and Clark in previous matches, are left wondering why such key individuals have been overlooked.

The absence of these two talented players undoubtedly weakens Vanuatu’s squad for the upcoming matches. However, it also opens up an opportunity for other players to step up and prove their worth on the international stage. As Vanuatu faces tough opposition in the form of national teams from the Asian continent, the squad will need to rally together and make the most of the opportunities at hand..