Fiji’s 100% winning record came to an end after they were held to a 1-1 draw by a disciplined and well-organised New Caledonia at Toleafoa JS Blatter Football Field in Apia this
afternoon. In a pulsating encounter New Caledonia’s stock rose further as they became the first team at these games to match Fiji for tenacity – and in captain Pierre Wajoka, no
small amount of skill.
It was Wajoka who opened the scoring for New Caledonia producing a moment of sublime skill that had the crowd and audience at home on television on their feet in appreciation when after 43 minutes
the AS Lossi midfielder’s free kick ripped past Simione Tamanisau and into the net.
For Juan Carlos Buzzetti’s team it was the first time they had fallen behind in a match since the 2-1 defeat in Suva against a New Zealand XI last month with the burning question on everyone’s lips
whether or not Fiji would be capable of mounting a rescue mission under such intense scruntiny.
With Fiji’s starting eleven minus several suspended and at risk-of-suspension players, young Roy Krishna was charged with the task of prising open a New Caledonia defence itself yet to be breached
in three previous outings.
Krishna – a prolific goal scorer for Labasa in Fiji’s New World National League and at international age-group level – has recently discovered that more well-organised international defences are
far less generous with time and space than those at domestic level with Didier Chamberon’s team a sparkling example of that theory in practice.
Krishna’s frustration, though, was calmed somewhat when the 19 year old won a corner for Fiji that Malakai Kainihewe managed to power home the equaliser from on 56 minutes after good work by Lorima
Dau. The rest of the match belonged to Fiji as first Pita Rabo, Ronil Kumar and Osea Vakatalesau went close or struck the New Caledonia woodwork.
With time running out both Juan Carlos Buzzetti and Didier Chamberon looked satisfied with the 1-1 result that saw Fiji and New Caledonia qualify for the semi-finals in first and second place
respectively.
LIVE UPDATES:
0′ – the teams enter to unfamiliar wet conditions, compared to the past week or so in Apia
3′ – the match is off to a sedate start, with both teams happy to allow each other to play around half way and through the flanks
4′ – Roy Krishna and Osea Vakatalesau work an impressive short corner for Vakatalesau to thunder a shot directly at New Caledonian ‘kepper Marc Ounemoa from close range
6′ – Wajoka delivers a near post corner for George Wadenges to head wide at full extension
9′ – Krishna is fouled down the right flank, resulting in a free kick to Fiji
12′ – the free kick comes to nothing, though Jose Hmae stays down after clearing the ball high into midfield
16′ – Vakatalesau finds space on the left, but curls his attempt at goal marginally over the crossbar
19′ – Ounemoa acts well to smother a Pita Rabo header from distance
23′ – Poulidor Toto has a crack from distance, but the shot does not trouble Simione Tamanisau in the Fijian goal
26′ – Fijian coach Juan Carlos Buzetti is furious when his team allows Luther Wahnyamalla through on goal, even though he is called offside
31′ – both teams seem content to sit and wait for opportunities, with knowledge that both have already secured semi-final berths
36′ – Rabo and Vakatalesau combine well on the right edge of the area to allow Roy Krishna to turn into space and release a left foot strike for the bottom left corner, but Ounemoa is equal to the
task and produces a splendid save
38′ – Fiji force consecutive corners on opposite sides of the field, but can not register an attempt from goal on either
42′ – 16. Malakai TIWA receives a yellow card for high feet
43′ – GOAL!
the Fijian defence lets 10. Pierre WAJOKA’s free kick run, and it finds its way into the corner of the net
HALF TIME: NCL 1 FIJ 0
46′ – New Caledonia switch 7. Yohann MERCIER for 8. Jean Chrys XENIE at half time
50′ – Wahanyamalla has a wild swing at goal from 30 yards on the left, producing a theatrical dive from Tamanisau lacking any real urgency
54′ – Krishna speeds towards goal, but is stopped authoritively by Wadenges
55′ – Krishna fires the ensuing free kick directly at Wadenges in the wall, resulting in a corner
56′ – GOAL!
the corner is headed back across goal by Lorima Dau, for 17. Malakai KAINIHEWE to fire a header inside the upright
58′ – 6. George WADENGES is booked for time wasting
63′ – Vakatalesau fires a flat cross to the far post, for Rabo to meet with his head and Ounemoa to bundle for a corner
64′ – Ronil Kumar gets a sight on goal, but Wadenges is dominant at the back again for New Calendonia
68′ – Waqa strikes the inside of the post under close attention from Wadenges, who stays down injured inside the box
75′ – 6. George WADENGES takes a rest, for 15. Jean Patrick WAKANUMUNE to replace him
78′ – Pita Rabo misses a great opportunity to put Fiji ahead when one-on-one with Ounemoa, striking a bouncing ball 10 yards out from goal over the crossbar
79′ – a stooping Vakatalesau header strikes the post following a whipped delivery from the right courtesy of Tiwa
82′ – 18. Poulidor TOTO makes way for 12. Jean Louis TOTO
84′ – Ounemoa is out quickly to clear the ball from a marauding Vakatalesau
— 3 minutes added time —
90′ – Vakatalesau produces another falling save from Ounemoa
FULL TIME: NCL 1 FIJ 1
MATCH PHOTOS:
XIII SOUTH PACIFIC GAMES – SAMOA 2007
Men’s Group A
Match Day 5 – 1500 – 3 September 2007
Toleafoa J.S. Blatter Football Fields – Apia – Samoa
NEW CALEDONIA: 1. Marc OUNEMOA [gk]; 3. Wilson FOREST; 5. Robert WAYARIDI; 6. George WADENGES (15. Jean Patrick WAKANUMUNE 75′); 7. Yohann MERCIER (8. Jean Chrys
XENIE 46′); 9. Marys MAPOU; 10. Pierre WAJOKA [c]; 11. Luther WAHNYAMALLA; 13. Jose HMAE; 16. Adolphe BOAOUTHO; 18. Poulidor TOTO (12. Jean Louis TOTO 82′).
Coach: Didier CHAMBERON
Substitutes not used: 12. Jean Louis TOTO; 14. Patrick DIAIKI; 17. Iamel KABEU; 19. Patrick DRAWILO; 20. Jean Yann DOUNEZEK
[gk].
Injured:
Suspended: 4. Andre SINEDO.
Not available:
Cautions: 6. George WADENGES (58′).
Red cards:
Goal scorers: 10. Pierre WAJOKA (43′).
FIJI: 1. Simione TAMANISAU [gk]; 5. Ronil KUMAR; 6. Lorima DAU; 10. Osea VAKATALESAU; 11. Thomas VULIVULI; 14. Viliame TOMA; 16. Malakai TIWA; 17. Malakai
KAINIHEWE; 18. Pita RABO [c]; 19. Roy KRISHNA; 21. Ratu Inosi VATUCICILA.
Coach: Juan Carlos BUZZETTI
Substitutes not used: 2. Alvin AVINESH; 3. Waisake SABUTU; 4. Samuela VULA; 8. Pita BALEITOGA; 9. Josaia BUKALIDI; 12. Peni FINAU; 13. Taniela WAQA; 15. Salesh
KUMAR; 30. Benaminio MATEINAQARA [gk].
Injured:
Suspended:
Not available:
Cautions: 16. Malakai TIWA (42′).
Red cards:
Goal scorers: 17. Malakai KAINIHEWE (56′).
Referee: Lencie FRED (VAN)
Assistant Referee: Mahit CHILIA (VAN)
Assistant Referee: Michael JOSEPH (VAN)
Fourth Official: Salaiau SOSONGAN (PNG)