The shock of the South Pacific Games nearly occurred when Tuvalu held New Caledonia to a respectable 1-0 defeat despite losing their first match 16-0 to Fiji on Match Day 1.
Tuvalu coach Toakai Puapua declared himself satisfied with the result. “This was important for us to win back some pride and our team is very happy with the performance and result. The goal came
from a mistake by our goalkeeper but otherwise we are happy,” Puapua said.
New Caledonia coach Didier Chambaron was less than happy with the result and performance but could point to the tragic death of Marius Mapou’s father just two days beforehand – a huge shock
to the entire squad.
Tuvalu – clearly rattled by their 16-0 hammering at the hands of Fiji – elected to defend deep inside their own half against a team itself developing a strong reputation for organisation
and solid defending. The result was a war of attrition in which the team with a superior attacking and cutting edge – New Caledonia – were simply unable to breakdown a stubborn rearguard
determined not to be beaten by a double-figure margin.
The relative paucity of the final scoreline was hardly encouraging for New Caledonia despite the tragic circumstances but has not damaged their hopes of a semi-final berth with a full
complement of six points collected from a possible six.
Tuvalu will be bouyed by a result that won’t do anything for their win-loss coloumn but plenty for their morale after that soul-destroying defeat at the hands of Fiji.
Tuvalu play Tahiti on Wednesday 29th August 1500hrs GMT-13 while New Caledonia will have plenty of thinking to do before they meet another group minnow in Cook Islands on the same day at
1800hrs GMT-13.
XIII SOUTH PACIFIC GAMES – SAMOA 2007
Men’s
Group A
Match Day 2 – 27 August 2007 – 15:00
Toleafoa J.S. Blatter Playing Fields – Apia – Samoa
Full-time: TUVALU 0 NEW CALEDONIA 1 (KABEU 52’)
TUVALU: 4. Mau PENISULA; 6. Paitela KELEMENE; 7. Papua ULISESE (9. Mati FUSI 87’); 11. Paeniu FAGOTA; 12. Loisio PENI; 13. Fulisagafou HAUMA 17. (Hetoa
KAIO 83’); 14. Peniuna KAITU (5. Lolesi VAIA 65’); 15. Jelly SELAU; 16. Imo FIAMALUA 19. Jay TIMO.
Coach: Tokai PUAPUA
Substitutes not used: 1. Moresi VALOAGA; 2. Polu TANEI; 3. Onosemu NEEMIA; 10. Semese ALEFAIO; 18. Tapeni
LETUETI; 20. Viliamu SEKIFU; 22. Pelesia TEISINI.
Injured:
Suspended:
Not Available:
Cautions:
Red Cards:
Goalscorers:
NEW CALEDONIA: 2. Andre NAXUE; 4. Andre SINEDO; 6. George WADENGES; 7. Yohann MERCIER; 11. Luther WAHNYAMALLA; 12. Jean Louis TOTO (8. Jean Chrys
XENIE 32’); 14. Patrick DIAIKE (15. Jean Patrick WAKANUMUNE 77’); 16. Adolphe BOAOUTHO; 17. Iamel KABEU; 19. Patrick DRAWILO (10. Pierre WAJOKA 45’); 20. Jean Yann DOUNEZEK.
Coach: Didier CHAMBERON
Substitutes not used: 1. Marc OUNEMOA; 3. Wilson FOREST.
Injured: 18. Poulidor TOTO.
Suspended: 13. Jose HMAE.
Not Available: 5. Robert WAYARIDI; 9. Marius MAPOU.
Cautions:
Red Cards: 4. Andre SINEDO.
Goalscorers: 17. Iamel KABEU (52’).
Referee: Nelson SOGO (SOL)
Assistant Referee: Jackson NAMO (SOL)
Assistant Referee: Hamilton SIAU (SOL)