NEW CALEDONIA 3 (Iamel KABEU 36′, pen. 50′, 85′) COOK ISLANDS 0
New Caledonia sealed their place in the semi-finals today after a polished 3-0 win over Cook Islands at JS Blatter Playing Field in Apia this
afternoon.
Iamel Kabeu (pictured below) was in irrepressible form for the New Caledonians who turned in their most convincing performance of the XIII South Pacific Games so far after
a tepid display against Tuvalu two days ago.
Cook Islands proved stubborn opponents with goalkeeper and captain Tony Jamieson in outstanding form. However, Jamieson had to be at his best after wearing two
crunching challenges from Jean Patrick Wakanumune who was booked in the 33rd minute when he collided with the New Zealand-based keeper in mid-jump spinning him in the air before landing
in a crumpled heap.
To Jamieson’s credit he emerged largely unscathed and there were no adverse affects for him in dealing with further aerial balls put into Cook Islands penalty area by Wilson
Forest and inspirational Luther Wahnyamalla.
Cook Islands withstood two free kicks that looked goal bound when first Pierre Wajoka then Jose Hmae sent in excellent efforts that swerved past the Cook Islands defensive wall
and into Jamieson’s path. Wajoka’s effort went closest with Jamieson having to palm his opposite captain’s effort onto the face of the post before being hacked clear by John
Pareanga.
The game turned physical when Miiteariki Joseph was booked for a crunching tackle on Wahnyamalla and Wakanumune was booked moments later for an entanglement with
Jamieson.
It was New Caledonia who took full advantage of raised emotions and they took the lead when Iamel Kabeu fired home an excellent and powerful low dipping volley past the
despairing dive of Jamieson and into the back of the net.
Number two came in the second half when Wajoka picked out Wahnyamalla with a raking 30m pass that caught Adrian Shepherd out of position. Shepherd – desperate to halt the
attack – grabbed a handful of Wahnyamalla’s shirt and hauled him down for stonewall penalty.
Kabeu made no mistake from spot but certainly cut it fine, firing the ball in to the underbelly of the crossbar and over the line to make it 2-0.
Wajoka was the provider for Kabeu again with just 5 minutes remaining when the striker rose unchallenged to make it 3-0.
Coach Didier Chamberon was delighted with the result and said qualification for the semi-finals was a fantastic achievement. “There was a lot of satisfaction tonight we played a good match.
This was am very important result because our last match against Tuvalu was very disappointing. It was important we came back in the right manner and today
we achieved that.
What is important too is we are in the semi-finals but we will have to play hard against Fiji. For our team we have to stay at the top of our game and build confidence we
cannot take anything for granted.”
Cook Islands coach Tim Jerks was satisfied with the result, and will approach his team’s final two games looking to pick up some points. “I was pleased with the team they
played to their instructions. I thought Tony Jamieson was fantastic for us – he had a wonderful game in goal.
We’re looking forward to meeting Tahiti and Tuvalu and I’m confident we can not only get a result in those games, but wins.”
The Cook Islands play Tuvalu on Saturday 1 September at 1500hrs (GMT-13), while New Caledonia round out their pool play against Fiji at 1500hrs (GMT-13) on Monday 3
September in a prelude to the OFC Nations Cup playoff matches.
LIVE UPDATES:
0′ – The match is underway in Apia as the rain falls at J.S. Blatter Playing Field
1′ – New Caledonia’s Iamel KABEU shoots just wide of Tony Jamieson’s goal
2′ – Paul Luiz VAN EIJK’s freekick is headed wide by Augusty BARTILLARD
3′ – Iamel KABEU’s downward header goes wide of Cook Islands goal
5′ – Luther WAHNYAMALLA collides with Tony JAMIESON after the pair descend on a cross from New Caledonia captain Pierre WAJOKA
8′ – A cross from Jose HMAE heads for Poulidor TOTO but his effort goes wide
11′ – Poulidor TOTO rushes into the Cook Islands penalty area and appears to be pushed but the referee waves play on
15′ – Its all New Caledonia as Cook Islands defend resolutely against wave after wave of attacks
22′ – Luther WAHNYAMALLA is causing Cook Islands problems and his cross is met by Iamel KABEU but Tony JAMIESON is equal to the task and saves the ball yet again.
25′ – Augusty BARTILLARD breaks forward and shoots on goal but New Caledonia goalkeeper Marc OUNEMOA makes a great save as the ball flashes in from 30 m out
27′ – FREEKICK New Caledonia Jose HMAE shoots into the arms of Tony JAMIESON
28′ – The rain starts to fall in Apia as the match remains locked at 0-0
31′ – YELLOW CARD Cook Islands 5. Miitamariki JOSEPH is booked have scything down 13. Jose HMAE. The freekick is fired straight into the Cook Islands wall but the danger isn’t
cleared
33′- YELLOW CARD New Caledonia 15. Jean Patrick WAKANUMUNE clatters into Tony JAMIESON and its an easy decision for referee N
eil FOX to caution the player
36′ GOAL! 1-0 New Caledonia take the lead after a fine finish on the volley by Iamel KABEU whose rasping drive leaves Tony JAMIESON with no chance
40′- Luther WAHNYAMALLA misses from distance
42′ – A cross from Wilson FOREST into the Cook Islands penalty area is missed by Jose HMAE as John PAREANGA and Steven WILLIS combine to clear the danger
45′- An extra minute of time added on will be played as the misty rain continues to fall at J.S.Blatter Playing Field in Apia
45+1′ – The referee Neil FOX blows for halftime and New Caledonia hold the lead.
HT: NCL vs. COK 1-0
46′ – The match restarts with everything left for both teams to play for.
47′- Luther WAHNYAMALLA fires a dangerous ball across the face of the Cook Islands six yard box and Miiteariki JOSEPH gets the ball stuck under his foot and its panic stations to
get the ball clear and the danger is over
49′- Pierre WAJOKA plays a dangerous long ball over the top of Adrian SHEPHERD and the defender brings down WAHNYAMALLA and its a penalty!
50′ YELLOW CARD Cook Islands 7. Adrian SHEPHERD
50′- GOAL! New Caledonia – 17. Iamil KABEU spotkick hits the underbelly of the crossbar and bounces clear but the Assistant Referee says the ball crossed the line and the goal
stands!
53′ – A cross by Yohann MERCIER but WAHNYAMALLA’s effort is not good enough and goes wide
55′- New Caledonia’s Wilson FOREST shoots from long range but gets nowhere near the target
55′- SUBSTITUTION Cook Islands 7. Adrian SHEPHERD is replaced by 3. Edward BROGAN
58′- Anonga TISAM loses possession for Cook Islands after a promising move is hatched by Thomas LE MOUTON and New Caledonia come away with the ball
61′- Poulidor TOTO cuts a neat pass through the Cook Islands defence for Iamel KABEU to run onto but the goalscorer lashes his effot wide of Tony JAMIESON’s upright
63′- Horst PETANA of the Cook Islands goes on a mazy run with the ball but is not supported and the danger is soaked up by New Caledonia
67′- Wilson FOREST blasts a shot into the Cook Islands post and the ball is hacked 30m straight up into the air as the defenders scramble to get the ball clear
68′- Cook Islands Thomas LE MOUTON sprints clear with the ball but is halted dead in his tracks by a strong challenge from Wilson FOREST of New Caledonia.
69′- Horst PETANA – who is having a good game for Cook Islands – collects the loose ball and evades two challenges before possession is lost. PETANA is playing well for his country
tonight.
69′- Forest WILSON has a great chance to put New Caledonia 3-0 up but he shoots wide
70′- SUBSTITUTION Cook Islands – 15. Paavo MUSTONEN is replaced by 14. John Michael QUIJANO
71′- Cook Islands are still battling bravely on but New Caledonia – who have yet to concede a single goal in this tournament – have locked the match down.
74′- WAHNYAMALLA shoots but JAMIESON saves well
75′- FREEKICK New Caledonia are 30m out and WAJOKA fires at JAMIESON who makes a comfortable save
76′- SUBSTITUTION New Caledonia – 11. Luther WAHNYAMALLA is replaced by 12. Jean Louis TOTO
77′-Jose HMAE waltzes into the Cook Islands box and shoots but JAMIESON saves brilliantly
80′- Cook Islands are getting further forward but without creating anything incisive or cutting edge
82′ SUBSTITUTION Cook Islands 4. John PAREANAGA is replaced by 18. Nathan TISAM
83′ SUBSTITUTION New Caledonia 16. Adolphe BOAOUTHO is replaced by 19. Patrick DRAWILO
85′-GOAL! 3-0 New Caledonia !Pierre WAJOKA crosses into the box and its that man Iamel KABEU who rises to score and its 3-0!
87′-SUBSTITUTION New Caledonia 7.Yohann MERCIER is replaced by 8.Jean Chrys XENIE
88′- Referee Neil FOX of New Zealand has added an extra 3 minutes of time added on
93′-FULLTIME – New Caledonia take top spot in Group A with a 100% record, no goals against. Cook Islands sink to the bottom of the table without a goal or a point.
NEW CALEDONIA: 1. Marc OUNEMOA; 3. Wilson FOREST; 6. Georges WADENGES; 7. Yohann MERCIER; 10. Pierre WAJOKA (c); 11. Luther WAHNYAMALLA; 13. Jose HMAE; 15. Jean Patrick WAKANUMUNE;
16. Adolphe BOAOUTHO; 17. Iamel KABEU; 18. Poulidor TOTO.
Coach: Dider CHAMBERON
SUBSTITUTES: 2. Andre NAXUE; 8. Jean Chrys XENIE; 12. Jean Louis TOTO; 14. Patrick DIAKE; 19. Patrick DRAWILO; 20. Jean Yann DOUNEZEK.
COOK ISLANDS: 1. Tony JAMIESON; 2. Pula Luiz VAN EIJK; 4. John PAREANGA; 5. Miitamariki JOSEPH; 6. Steven WILLIS; 7. Adrian SHEPHERD; 8. Thomas LE MOUTON; 10. Eugiene TATUAVA; 12.
Anonga TISAM; 15. Paavo MUSTONEN; 17. Augusty BARTILLARD.
Coach: Tim JERKS
SUBSTITUTES: 3. Edward BROGAN; 9. Kunda TOM; 11. Edward DROLLET; 13. Teariki MATEARIKI; 14. John Michael QUIJANO; 18. Nathan TISAM; 20. Jimmy KATOA.
Referee: Neil FOX (NZL)
Assistant Referee: Mahit CHILIA (VAN)
Assistant Referee: Nawen HOPKEN (VAN)
Fourth Official: Lencie FRED (VAN)