It was a significant match for both sides with neither club with a major trophy win to their name before kick-off – but it was the side from the main island’s north-east coast which triumphed on this occasion.
“What more can I say, it’s fabulous,” Hienghène sporting director Ritchi Bouanou says.
“We have a good group that plays well. We can’t stop at this year’s work alone. This victory is the result of all the work done over four or five years.”
In fitting fashion it was Les Cagous mainstay and 2011 OFC Player of the Year Bertrand Kai who opened the scoring for Hienghène. A Qanono defender’s slip allowed Miguel Kayara to take possession and send in a cross. The experienced Hienghène captain Kai drew the keeper before sending the ball flying into the back of the net just two minutes into play.
The goal sent a sea of blue supporters to their feet as they rallied behind a side seeking to add its first trophy to the cabinet.
With one of the best defences in the championship, Qanono were disappointed to have let a goal slip past and rallied to shut down their opponent. Despite the efforts of Kai and Roy Kayara, who hit the post, among others, Hienghène couldn’t find another goal in the first half to extend their lead.
Struggling to hold on to possession the club from Lifou found it difficult to make inroads into match as they sought to bring themselves in line with Hienghene, a side currently sitting second in the national Super Ligue table, as the northerners pressed high.
As the match neared the hour mark two goals to Hienghène – one to Roy Kayara and the second to Fabiano Dahite – within a two minute period saw the trophy slipping further from Qanono’s grasp. In the 75th minute Qanono managed to score but it would be nothing more than a consolation prize for the Lifou-based club with Hienghène’s defence proving too tough to break down.
Second-half goalscorer Dahite was absolutely elated when the final whistle sounded as he was finally able to relax.
“As long as we weren’t finished, we were scared,” Dahite said. “We were only free from the sound of the final whistle. Each game that I win, it’s excellent. But this one, it’s even better.
Qanono coach Leon Waitronyie was disappointed his side couldn’t prevail but gave credit to an organised Hienghène.
“Hienghène is a very good team. The law of sport has spoken and the better team has won,” he said. “We wanted to press high from the beginning of the match but we didn’t seem able to do that.”
Victorious Hienghène coach Michel Clarque said he is incredibly proud to lead his players into the history books of the young club.
“It’s not every day that you have the opportunity to win a final,” he said. “What could be better? The match wasn’t perfect, but that’s normal to have knot in your stomach. After that, we have had a great season.”
Hienghène midfielder Roy Kayara couldn’t agree more with his coach and teammates, adding that the ambiance provided in the stands made a huge difference on the field.
“With all the people who came to watch us, it’s superb to have won.”
Hienghène’s Coupe de Calédonie victory means they will now take on French fifth division side AS Poissy in the 7th round of the Coupe de France on 16 or 17 November 2013, in France.
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