It was the second match of the Cagous five-day stint in Port Vila – the first was a comfortable 3-0 victory – and ensures they will go into the Games in a confident frame of mind.
Despite notching a straightforward victory over the same opposition just days earlier, New Caledonia made an unconvincing start to the game as Vanuatu, determined to exact some revenge for that loss, put plenty of pressure on in the opening minutes.
But the well-organised Cagous defence dealt well with everything the home side had to offer and soon began to pose a threat themselves at the other end.
They did more than just threaten to score in the 11th minute when inspirational captain Christelle Wanahwe, who scored twice in the earlier victory, found the net yet again to put her team in front.
The goal did not appear to knock Vanuatu off their stride though and both sides exchanged several more opportunities before it became 2-0. Again, Wanahwe had a hand to play in the strike but this time the goalscorer was Cheyenne Dieuma, who fired into an empty goal in the 27th minute after Wanahwe saw her shot blocked.
It remained that way until the halftime whistle and the second half began in the same manner as the first with Vanuatu on the attack and desperate to get something on the scoreboard.
New Caledonia goalkeeper Béatrice Toluafe had to be at her best to keep out two free kicks in quick succession and it seemed as if luck was not on the side of the youthful Vanuatu outfit. That was underlined on 55 minutes when the Cagous extended their lead further, Wanahwe dipping a free kick under the crossbar for her second of the afternoon.
The skipper completed her hat-trick 20 minutes later and substitute Aurélie Lalie wrapped up the New Caledonia scoring in added time. Vanuatu did finally have something to celebrate when a free kick was fired home with just seconds remaining to make it 5-1.
Cagous coach Yvan Poungui was delighted with the outcome of the tour and is confident his players will go on to make a positive impact in the Pacific Games.
“It was a really good week in terms of the work we put in – a great satisfaction,” he says.
“We have now nearly completed our preparations and I think the closer we come to the tournament, the more impatient the players will be for it to begin. We will have to make a good start.”
The hosts have been drawn in the five-team Group A of the women’s tournament and will face American Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Tahiti.
Their first match is against Solomon Islands on August 27 at the Stade PLGC in Nouméa.
For more on New Caledonia football go to www.fedcalfoot.com

Share