Who is Vanuatu's captain courageous Brian Kaltack?

The 29-year-old won the 2022/23 A-League season with Central Coast Mariners.

With the 2023 Intercontinental Cup right on the horizon, India roll up their sleeves to take on their three opponents in the competition. India’s second match pits them against a very unfamiliar foe, Vanuatu. What makes the fixture much more interesting, is that this will be the first time that both the nations will be playing against each other in the senior level. 

Vanuatu currently sit 164th on the FIFA rankings, and have made a good amount of progress in their short history. The team also possesses some innate talent and a variant style of play. 

With that said, let us take a closer glance at Vanuatu’s captain and star player - Brian Kaltack, who can cause a variety of problems for India’s attackers, courtesy of his dodefending.

Who is Brian Kaltack?

Brian Kaltak is a 29-year-old center-back, who currently plays for A-League side Central Coast Mariners. Brian started his journey playing for a variety of different clubs all over Oceania, including for Waterside Karori, Hekari United, Solomon Warriors, Amicale, Erakor Golden Star and Tasman United.

Following a successful stint with Auckland City, where he won the New Zealand Football Championship, Brian made a move to Australia and signed for the Central Coast Mariners at the start of the season.

With his impressive performances, Brian soon became a regular starter for his team and led the side from the back. Brian and Central Coast Mariners together completed an incredible 2022/23 season, as they won the A-League, defeating Melbourne City 6-1 in the finals. Brian also extended his stay at the club until the end of the 2024/25 A-League season.

With the National team, Brian made his debut at the mere age of 18, back in 2011. Since then, the defender has 22 appearances for Vanuatu and has scored five goals.

A Sturdy defender

Brian Kaltack’s has been a leader in the back-line. He has an incredible understanding of the game, and can frustrate attackers with his exceptional physicality. Also, Brian’s top notch positioning helps him cut down a number of options for the attackers. Brian guides the entire backline, and makes sure that it stays solid so as to firm any sudden attacks.

His aerial abilities are also a considerable strength, as the five-foot nine central defender possesses a good heading technique, which can pose a problem for opponents from set pieces.

Kaltack also made a total of 90 clearances in the A-League last season, and had a 64.6% Aerial duel success rate.

What to expect?

The Indian attackers on Monday, will surely have a tough night trying to fight off against Brian and his defensive abilities. The defender will be very much aware of the attacking threat that India and Sunil Chhetri can pose, and will accordingly equip his entire defensive line in protection of their goal.

The Indian players will have to be tactful to get past such a formidable defense, and it is very likely that Igor Stimac will think out of the box in preparation for this game. 

The game will be an important fixture for India, to test themselves against such an unfamiliar and different opponent, and will certainly help the coach gain a lot more clarity about his team ahead of the game against Lebanon and the upcoming 2023 SAFF Championship.