Robert Maaskant appointed head coach of Tuvalu national team

Dutch football coach Robert Maaskant has signed a one-year contract to become the head coach of the Tuvalu national team. Maaskant, 57, previously managed clubs including NAC Breda, FC Groningen, Willem II, and Go Ahead Eagles.

The primary sporting objective for the small Pacific island nation is to achieve FIFA membership. Becoming the 212th member would allow Tuvalu to participate in World Cup qualifying matches. Maaskant is set to begin his role in January, starting with the Four Nations Tournament in New Zealand alongside Tonga, the Cook Islands, and Kiribati.

Maaskant was approached by technical director Michiel van der Werf, who sought an adventurous yet serious professional for the project. The coach noted that over forty individuals have already expressed interest in joining his technical staff in various capacities, such as assistant trainers and press officers.