See below for the play-by-play action.
Starting line-ups:
New Caledonia:
1. Jean Yann DOUNEZEK (GK), 2. Joel WAKANUMUNE, 5. Cesar LOLOHEA, 6. Dominique WACALIE, 8. Marius BAKO, 10. Pierre WAJOKA (c), 17. Georges BEARUNE, 18. Emile BEARUNE, 19. Georges GOPE-FENEPEJ, 20. Dimitri PETEMOU, 22. Olivier DOKUNENGO, 23. Jean Patrick WAKANUMUNE
Coach: Christophe COURSIMAULT
Vanuatu:
1. Enest BONG (GK), 2. Alphonse BONGNAIM, 3. Selwin Sese ALA, 4. Rexley TARIVUTI, 5. Georges TABE, 6. Kensi TANGIS, 7. Jean Robert YELOU (c), 9. Robert TASSO, 12. Eddison STEPHEN, 16. Chikau MANSALE, 17. Ivong WILSON, 22. Jean KALTAK
Coach: Saby NATONGA
There has been a delay to the start of this match due to a power cut.
The match kicks off.
2′ New Caledonia’s Cesar Lolohea puts in a cross from the right but the Vanuatu goalkeeper claims it
4′ Tensions are high as referee Andrew Achari has a word to Marius Bako of New Caledonia after a strong challenge
5′ Goal!!! New Caledonia 1 Vanuatu 0: The home fans have something to cheer about early as George Gope-Fenepej slots the ball home courtesy of a Cesar Lolohea through ball
9′ A New Caledonia defender is called for blocking the ball with his hand after a powerful strike from Kensi Tangis. Free kick to follow from just outside the area
10′ Jean Kaltack smashes the free kick into the New Caledonia wall and the danger is averted
15′ It is a very physical match as both teams try to claim the ascendency. New Caledonia have a slight edge
17′ Cesar Lolohea has the ball in the back of the net for New Caledonia but he is called for offside
18′ YELLOW CARD: New Cadonia’s Marius Bako is cautioned
22′ Vanuatu’s Jean Kaltak puts a dangerous ball through the middle but goalkeeper Jean Yann Dounezek does well to sweep off his line and clear the ball
24′ New Caledonia are caught offside
26′ Dominique Wacalie gets into a dangerous position after a nice move down the right for New Caledonia but the midfielder can’t get any power on his shot
27′ New Caledonia are caught offside again
28′ Substitution: Vanuatu make what looks like an early tactical change with Brian Kaltack replacing Selwin Sese Ala
31′ Goal!!! New Caledonia 2 Vanuatu 0: Gope-Fenepej grabs his second after supurb combination play through the middle of the park
38′ New Caledonia are controlling possession well as half-time approaches
41′ Vanuatu have their best chance of the game as Robert Tasso breaks into the box but is tackled just as he tries to get his shot off
43′ Goal!!! New Caledonia 3 Vanuatu 0: Marius Bako makes the most of a failed attempt by Vanuatu to play the offside trap. The Vanuatu defenders stood and waited for Gope-Fenepej to be called offside while midfielder Bako continued his deep run to rounded the goalkeeper and make it three for the home side
The referee brings the first half to an end.
The second half kicks off.
47′ New Caledonia are awarded a penalty after Cesar Lolohea is brought down by Vanuatu goalkeeper Enest Bong
48′ PENALTY: Lolohea has the ball in the back of the net from the penalty spot but is ordered to retake it by the referee who spotted an infringement. On the second attempt he blasts the ball over the crossbar!
51′ GOAL!!! New Caledonia 4 Vanuatu 0: Lolohea has his reward volleying home a pin-pint cross from Gope-Fenepej
55′ YELLOW CARD: George Gope-Fenepej is cautioned after a dangerous challenge on the Vanuatu goalkeeper
55′ YELLOW CARD: Vanuatu’s Enest Bong is shown a yellow card for retaliation
56′ SUBSTITUTION: Marius Bako is replaced by Judikael Ixoee for New Caledonia
57′ YELLOW CARD: The New Caledonia captain Pierre Wajoka is cautioned
63′ GOAL!!! New Caledonia 5 Vanuatu 0: Gope-Fenepej latches onto a deep through ball and completes his hat-trick in style with a deft lob over the goalkeeper
69′ Jean Kaltak spins his defender well and earns Vanuatu a free-kick in a central position just outside the box. His cousin Brian Kaltack steps up to take and misses the top left corner by a matter of inches.
72′ SUBSTITUTION: Hat-trick hero Gope-Fenepej is replaced by Jacques Haeko
79′ Jean Kaltak has the ball in the back of the net but the Vanuatu striker was in an offside position
82′ New Caledonia are caught offside
83′ SUBSTITUTION: Cesar Lolohea is replaced by Michel Hmae for New Caledonia
85′ New Caledonia substitute Michel Hmae shows fancy footwork down the left before unleashing a shot, only to be denied by the foot of Enest Bong
87′ Pierre Wajoka wastes an opportunity hitting the ball straight at the Vanuatu goalkeeper after nice build up play
90′ There will be two minutes of additional time. A strong outing by the defending champions New Caledonia in their opening Group A match.
The final whistle is blown.