The Adrien Ausu-coached side were up against defending cup winners and 2011 O-League representatives AS Magenta but failed to take much notice of the script written for them by many, notching a 2-0 win in front of 4,000 fans at the Stade Numa Daly in Noumea.
The clash was a rematch of last year’s final, won 2-1 by Magenta, and the Gaïtcha players were determined to reverse the 2010 result this time around. They didn’t waste any time in signalling this intention, going ahead within the opening minute through former Magenta midfielder Pierre Wajoka.
The New Caledonia international, who is likely to be one of his country’s key players when they host the upcoming Pacific Games, got one over on his ex-team mates when he picked the ball up on the edge of the box and found the net with a powerful strike.
Gaïtcha went on to dominate the first half and nearly extended their lead when Marius Bako spurned a good opportunity after a mistake from goalkeeper Alain Iona.
But the 2010 runners-up would not be denied for much longer and made it 2-0 in the 36th minute. The goal resulted from another moment Iona will not remember fondly, the Magenta custodian misjudging a long ball from Wajoka and allowing Yoran Hmuzo to roll it into an empty net.
Now realising they had a real fight on their hands to retain the Coupe de Calédonie crown, Magenta came out for the second half in a more determined frame of mind and could have gotten themselves back into the game when Georges Gope-Fenepej, a stand-out towards the latter stages of the 2011 O-League, had a good chance to score but fired his shot narrowly wide.
Magenta continued to press for the remainder of the match and created several further opportunities but solid defending and a stoic attitude from Gaïtcha kept them out as coach Ausu’s side claimed their first ever Coupe de Calédonie triumph.
“It is an incredible success for the club,” a delighted Ausu said after the match.
“I would like to congratulate the players – this cup belongs to them.”
Victory brings with it entry into the prestigious Coupe de France, known more commonly around the world as the French Cup.
The competition is played out by clubs from France and the nation’s overseas territories and offers teams from New Caledonia and Tahiti the chance to test themselves against professional and semi-professional French sides.
Last season, Magenta became the first team from New Caledonia to progress to the eighth round of the French Cup in 42 years but were beaten at that stage by third-tier side Paris FC.
Coupe de Calédonie final
FC Gaïtcha: 2 (Pierre WAJOKA 1′, Yoran HMUZO 36′)
AS Magenta: 0
Saturday 30 July
Stade Numa Daly
Noumea, New Caledonia
Attendance: 4,000
FC Gaïtcha: Nyikeine (GK), Lolohéa (Ausu 79’), E. Béaruné, Ouka, G.Béaruné, Hmuzo, Wajoka (c), Dusy, M.Bako, Y. Bako (Toto 76’), Wangane (Siapo 84’).
Coach: Adrien Ausu
AS Magenta : Iona (GK), Ixoée, Forest, Sinédo, Kakou, Gope-Fenepej, Kaudré (c), Read (Henesewené 88’), Wea, Gorendiawé (Makalu 55’), Jewiné (Wahéo 88’).
Coach: Alain Moizan