The Cagous have travelled to Queensland to put the finishing touches on their preparations for the Games and can take great heart from the opening clash of the two-match series.
A solid defensive display was at the heart of the Cagous’ performance at the local Merrimac Football Club stadium and coach Christophe Coursimault was pleased to see improvements in that aspect of the game.
The side’s last outings were against the French overseas department of La Réunion in April and Coursimault was disappointed with the defending in those losses, by 4-2 and 3-1 margins respectively.
“I noticed some defensive problems in the games against La Réunion and am very satisfied to see all the work we have done pay off,” he said.
“The players have responded positively against a strong and well-organised team.”
The central defensive partnership of captain André Sinedo and Jean Patrick Wakanumune looked assured against their more illustrious opponents and, despite the Australian side dominating proceedings as expected, New Caledonia managed to create several opportunities of their own, the first of which arrived in the 11th minute.
Iamel Kabeu found space to fire off a shot and found a way past Gold Coast goalkeeper Glen Moss but the ball smacked against the crossbar and rebounded to safety.
Just four minutes later, Arsène Boawe had another good chance to score but New Zealand international Moss came off his line well to deal with the danger.
Miron Bleiberg’s Gold Coast side continued their dominance in the second spell and nearly went ahead on two occasions through Ivory Coast import Adama Traore but Cagous goalkeeper Jean Yann Dounezeck was enjoying a fine match and pulled off a pair of smart saves. He was finally beaten by a shot from Gold Coast’s Brazilian captain Robson but the same bar that had denied Kabeu in the first half was again called into action.
The earlier introduction of Pierre Wajoka and César Lolohea off the bench had added a touch of class to the New Caledonia midfield and the latter could have won the match in the 85th minute but was thwarted by the Gold Coast defence before he could get his effort away.
“It was a very good performance against a technical and powerful team,” Coursimault said.
“Our objective was to be well organised in defence. We played on the counter attack and had some good opportunities to score and maybe win the game.”
The Cagous next match with Gold Coast takes place at Merrimac on Saturday from 7pm local time and the winner will be presented with the inaugural Queensland Nickel Cup.
For more on New Caledonia football go to www.fedcalfoot.com

Share