The Cagous touched down in Brisbane last weekend to put the finishing touches on their Games preparations and will meet a Gold Coast outfit also in build-up mode.
Coach Miron Bleiberg and his men are getting ready for the next edition of Australia’s professional league, which kicks off on October 8, and are expecting a tough challenge from New Caledonia.
“It will be a really good test for us,” Bleiberg says.
“It is honour to welcome a national team to the Gold Coast and it is a real pleasure to have them.”
The trip to Australian offers the Cagous the perfect opportunity to hone their skills ahead of the Games but the matches with Gold Coast are becoming a tradition and this year’s meetings will be the third in as many years.
The previous clashes have all taken place in New Caledonia and have proved to be hard-fought affairs.
“We had two difficult games in Noumea the last time we met,” Bleiberg says.
“And new players have come into the New Caledonia squad since then so it will be a surprise for us. From what I saw last year, the team has the skills to play in the A-League and features many fast and mobile players.”
A trophy, the Queensland Nickel Cup, is now up for grabs and becoming the first team to lift it will provide added motivation for each side.
Cagous coach Christophe Coursimault believes motivating his troops will not be a problem and says the matches are a key part of their Games’ preparations.
“It will be a tough challenge against a professional side,” he says.
“Playing this kind of team two weeks before the start of the Pacific Games will give us a good idea of our progress. If we want to perform well at the Games, we will have to increase our level of performance during these two matches.”
The Gold Coast fixtures will take place tomorrow and on Saturday at the Merrimac Soccer Club stadium with both matches kicking off at 7pm local time.
New Caledonia squad for Gold Coast United tour
Goalkeepers
Jean Yan DOUNEZEK (AS Magenta)
Dimitri PETEMOU (AS Thio Sport)
Defenders
Emile BEARUNE (FC Gaïtcha)
Georges BEARUNE (FC Gaïtcha)
Olivier DOKUNENGO (AS Mont Dore)
Judikael IXOEE (AS Magenta)
Patrick QAEZE (FC Gaïtcha)
Jean Patrick WAKANUMUNE (AS Mont Dore)
André SINEDO (AS Magenta)
Kenji VENDEGOU (AS Lössi)
Midfielders
Marius BAKO (FC Gaïtcha)
Arsène BOAWE (AS Thio Sport)
Joris GORENDIAWE (AS Magenta)
Dominique WACALIE (France)
Pierre WAJOKA (FC Gaïtcha)
Joël WAKANUMUNE (France)
César LOLOHEA (France)
Forwards
Georges GOPE-FENEPEJ (AS Magenta)
Jacques HAEKO (AS Lössi)
Michel HMAE (AS Mont Dore)
Iamel KABEU (Tahiti)
Bertrand KAI (Hienghène Sport)
Vincent TAUA (Italy)
Coach: Christophe COURSIMAULT
Assistant coach: Harold OIREMOIN
Goalkeeping coach: Thierry SARDO
Fitness trainer: Julien CONDOUMY
Doctor: Jean Marie SABOT
Physio: Bruno TEZENAS
Head of delegation: Paul THELOTTE
Media officer: Romain PAINBENI
For more on New Caledonia football go to www.fedcalfoot.com

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