New Caledonia’s domestic cup competitions came to a dramatic conclusion at Stade Yoshida in Koné this weekend.
ASAF won the women’s Coupe de Calédonie after a stunning first-half display saw them defeat FCF Académie 5-1 while Hienghène Sport won the men’s tournament for the fifth time with a stunning second-half comeback securing a 4-3 triumph over Tiga Sport.
After a close opening 20 minutes ASAF raced clear of their rivals in the final 25 minutes of the opening period in the women’s final.
The floodgates opened after the deadlock was broken 21 minutes in by Christelle Wahnawé. She doubled the scoring in the 36th minute before three goals in the final six minutes of the first-half, including a brace from Ashley Gowet, had ASAF leading 5-0 at the break.
FCF Académie did well to stop the deluge in the second-half and even grabbed a consolation goal in stoppage time.
In the men’s final, Tiga Sport looked set to be on their way to a historic first triumph in their debut appearance in the final.
Goals from Morgan Mathelon, Shene Welepane and David Bearune had Tiga 3-1 up on the hour mark and looking on course to upset Hienghène.
However, three goals in 12 minutes took the game away from Tiga.
Joseph Athale scored twice in quick succession to level the scoring before Jefferson Dahite bundled home the winner with just eight minutes remaining to secure his side a third cup win in succession.
The win also earns Hienghène a trip to Europe next month to play in the seventh round of the Coupe de France – where they will join Tahiti’s cup winners AS Vénus in the draw.
Full replays of the finals are available on the FCF Facebook page here.