- France score six times in the first half for big opening win
- Amine Gouiri with two goals for Les Bleus in Guwahati
- New Caledonia face Honduras, while France meet Japan in next group games
France got their FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 campaign off to an emphatic start with a 7-1 victory over their French overseas territory cousins New Caledonia, who were making their debut at a FIFA tournament in Guwahati on Sunday.
It was Les Bleus that dominated the first-half proceedings, as they raced out to a six-goal lead before the half-time break. An early Bernard Iwa own-goal was followed by Amine Gouiri’s first of two goals in the half at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium.
Claudio Gomes made it 3-0 to the French before Gouiri struck again three minutes later. Maxence Caqueret made it five goals for the European outfit on 40 minutes before a Kiam Wanesse own-goal rounded off the scoring in the opening 45 minutes.
The second half saw New Caledonia goalkeeper Une Kecine produce a series of fine stops to deny France on several occasions. This included an excellent penalty stop from Caqueret just after the break.
However, there would be more goals in stoppage time, with the Oceania side claiming a first-ever goal in a FIFA competition from Sidri Wadenges before substitute Wilson Isidor replied for France at the other end.
Story courtesy of FIFA