New Caledonia have produced a superb performance to hold on for a 0-0 draw with Asian giants Japan at the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2025™ in Doha.
It marks just the second time New Caledonia have registered a point at a FIFA event, repeating the feats of their 1-1 draw with Japan at the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Japan dominated proceedings throughout but struggled to find a way through goalkeeper Nicolas Kutran and the New Caledonian defence.
Makoto Himeno came close inside just the first five minutes for Japan, driving a direct free kick inches wide of the right post on his right foot. Himeno then missed another good chance not long after, poking the ball wide of the bottom-left corner after latching onto a cross to the back post.
That set the tone for the Young Samurai Blue, who conjured over 35 shots throughout the game, but lacked a decisive touch in front of the goal.
New Caledonia’s goal-keeper Nicolas Kutran also delivered a stellar performance between the sticks, denying Minato Yoshida with his first big save of the game.
The second half continued in the same vain, Kutran making himself big to parry away a close-range effort from Jelani Ren McGhee.
Scorer of the goal in their first game against Portugal, Ezekiel Wamowe came closest to scoring again for New Caledonia, rattling the left post with a curling left-footed effort from long range.
Japan made changes but still couldn’t beat Kutran, who pulled off big saves to deny both Hirato Osada and Daigo Hirashima.
The young Samurai Blue finally thought they had broken the deadlock late in stoppage time when Simon Yu Mendy powered the ball into the top of the net.
It was disallowed for a foul on a New Caledonian defender in the build-up though, and the OFC representatives survived another late penalty review to hold on for a share of the points.
It’s an historic result for New Caledonia, who celebrated wildly at the final whistle, and remain with a chance of progressing to the knockout stages should they beat Morocco in their final group stage match on Monday (NZT).
Japan: 0
New Caledonia: 0
HT: 0-0