Solomon Islands 3-3 Vanuatu: Wae rescues draw after six-goal regional contest
Solomon Islands and Vanuatu shared a 3-3 draw on September 24, 2026, in a Friendly International that gave both coaches plenty of evidence and plenty to fix. Vanuatu had the sharper shooting numbers, Solomon Islands had more of the ball, and the game kept swinging until J. Wae scored in the 85th minute to pull J. Smith’s side level.
Vanuatu, coached by Juliano Schmeling, struck first through A. Malakai in the 33rd minute. Solomon Islands responded before the break when D. Keana scored in the 43rd minute, a timely equaliser that stopped Vanuatu taking full control into half-time.
The second half moved quickly. T. Kaltack restored Vanuatu’s lead in the 47th minute, giving Schmeling’s team the early second-half push every coach wants. Solomon Islands came back again through R. Lea'i in the 67th minute, but the reset lasted only four minutes. J. Bule scored for Vanuatu in the 71st minute, putting them ahead for a third time.
Still, Solomon Islands did not fold. Wae’s goal in the 85th minute made it 3-3 and saved the match from becoming a story of repeated recoveries with no reward. For a friendly, it carried real edge: regional familiarity, direct competition, and the kind of momentum swings that matter when squads are still being tested.
Match report
J. Smith’s Solomon Islands were listed with no official formation in the lineup data, while Juliano Schmeling’s Vanuatu were also listed with no official formation. That lack of published shape makes the numbers even more useful, because they show the contrast clearly.
Solomon Islands had 59% possession and 11 total shots. They wanted more of the ball, they carried territory, and they stayed in the match through persistence rather than control. The issue was efficiency at both ends. Four shots on goal brought three goals, but conceding three from a Vanuatu side that produced 12 shots on goal tells its own story.
Vanuatu had only 41% possession but were far more aggressive with their final actions. Sixteen total shots, 12 on target, and three goals represented a strong attacking output. Schmeling will see the volume as a major positive. The frustration is obvious too: Vanuatu led after goals in the 33rd, 47th and 71st minutes, yet still left with a draw.
Malakai changed the tone first in the 33rd minute. Keana changed it back in the 43rd minute. Kaltack then gave Vanuatu the perfect restart in the 47th minute, but Lea'i’s goal in the 67th minute kept Solomon Islands alive. Bule’s goal in the 71st minute looked like the decisive move. Wae made sure it was not.
That is the part J. Smith will take. His team trailed three times and answered three times. In regional football, especially between sides who know each other’s habits, that resilience has value.
Key moments
- 33rd minute: A. Malakai scored for Vanuatu, 0-1
- 43rd minute: D. Keana scored for Solomon Islands, 1-1
- 47th minute: T. Kaltack scored for Vanuatu, 1-2
- 67th minute: R. Lea'i scored for Solomon Islands, 2-2
- 71st minute: J. Bule scored for Vanuatu, 2-3
- 85th minute: J. Wae scored for Solomon Islands, 3-3
Statistics
| Team | Possession | Total shots | Shots on goal | Shots off goal | Corners | Yellow cards | Red cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solomon Islands | 59% | 11 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Vanuatu | 41% | 16 | 12 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
Tactical view
The game was defined by a simple trade-off: Solomon Islands controlled more of the ball, while Vanuatu created more danger.
Solomon Islands’ 59% possession did not translate into dominance. Their four shots on goal show they were economical rather than relentless. Keana, Lea'i and Wae made their moments count, and that mattered because the team spent much of the match chasing rather than setting the terms.
Vanuatu’s approach was more direct and more productive in chance volume. Twelve shots on goal from 16 attempts is a strong return in any match. Malakai, Kaltack and Bule each put Vanuatu ahead, which says plenty about their ability to strike at key times. The problem was game management. Three leads, no win.
For Solomon Islands, this follows the same emotional line as their recent late drama against New Caledonia, covered here: Solomon Islands Strike Late to Sink New Caledonia. Another late intervention, another result kept alive.
What it means
For a Friendly International, this was useful and uncomfortable for both sides.
J. Smith gets proof that Solomon Islands can stay in a game under pressure, but the defensive review will be sharp after allowing 12 shots on goal. Juliano Schmeling gets proof that Vanuatu can create and score repeatedly, but failing to protect three separate leads will concern him.
No points were on offer, but the next step is clear: Solomon Islands need cleaner control without leaving the back door open, while Vanuatu need to turn attacking authority into a finished result.
