The finals of the men’s and women’s competitions are set to be held in the evening at the impressive Stade Numa Daly while the 3rd/4th play-off matches will take place earlier at nearby Stade Boewa in Boulari.
Hosts New Caledonia will feature in both finals – the men facing Solomon Islands and the women taking on defending champions Papua New Guinea – and the only other country to be represented twice is Fiji, who are involved in both 3rd/4th play-off games. But the interest of the local fans, who have turned out in great numbers to support their teams thus far, will centre on Numa Daly and another bumper crowd is expected for the finals.
The women are up first in a match that pits an experienced Papua New Guinea team against a side that is threatening to wrestle away its Pacific Games mantle and appear to have a very good chance of doing so. The two met each other earlier in group play and it was New Caledonia who earned the points with a thrilling 2-1 win – the only loss inflicted on Papua New Guinea, runners-up at the 2010 OFC Women’s Nations Cup, on the road to the final.
“We beat them a few days ago but this will be a much different game,” New Caledonia coach Yvan Poungui says. “We know how to play against them and have tactics that we used last time so I believe we can win again. They will be quite tired and I think we are probably a fitter team.”
If they are to hang onto their Games crown, Papua New Guinea will have to stop the creative partnership of golden boot leader Christelle Wahnawe, whose 11 goals and inspirational play as captain have driven her team on, and Celine Xolawawa, who has struck only once but been at the heart of much of New Caledonia’s best play. But Steven Mune’s side has plenty of potency itself – Sandra Birum is second on the top-scorer list with five – and will be unwilling to give up their title without a fight.
History will be made if the hosts lift the trophy as they did not feature in the medal placings at their only previous Games appearance in 2007.
In contrast, the New Caledonia men have earned five gold medals at the Games and are the current champions. Like the women, they also met their final opponents in group play but will not be able to draw confidence from that clash as they lost 2-1.
“We didn’t play well and did a lot of things wrong,” Les Cagous coach Christophe Coursimault says. “We had some easier games in the group stage and were maybe too relaxed going into it. Solomon Islands have been one of the best teams to watch at this tournament. They are kind of like a Brazil of the Pacific with many great technical players. We will play in a great stadium and the support of the crowd will be important.”
Opposing coach Jacob Moli believes home advantage is a big boost for New Caledonia but is backing his Bonitos players to deal with the atmosphere.
“It will not be easy as we are playing against the whole nation,” Moli says. “But for some of the boys this is not their first time playing on the big stage. Many have played for their clubs in the O-League in front of large crowds so I think they can handle it.”
They will also have to handle a New Caledonia attack that has run rampant throughout the tournament, scoring 34 goals across its six matches, and an in-form striker in Bertrand Kai, who has accounted for 10 of those strikes to lead the scoring standings. Solomon Islands have their own offensive weapons in the six-goal Benjamin Totori and skipper Henry Fa’arodo but the pair will not find it easy to unlock a defence that has been breached just three times.
XIV Pacific Games Finals Day
Women’s final:
New Caledonia vs. Papua New Guinea
Stade Numa Daly
Nouméa, New Caledonia
Kick-off: 5pm local time
Men’s final:
New Caledonia vs. Solomon Islands
Stade Numa Daly
Nouméa, New Caledonia
Kick-off: 8pm local time
Women’s 3rd/4th play-off:
Tonga vs. Fiji
Stade Boewa
Boulari, New Caledonia
Kick-off: 9am local time
Men’s 3rd/4th play-off:
Tahiti vs. Fiji
Stade Boewa
Boulari, New Caledonia
Kick-off: 1pm local time

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