Mont-Dore went into the match as favourites to qualify for the Pacific’s premier club competition but were made to work hard for that honour in the face of a determined showing from Tupapa, who were spurred on by the chance to create a piece history for their country.
A Tupapa win would have seen the tiny Rarotonga-based club become the first Cook Islands side to compete in the O-League but the underdogs were forced to give up that dream as goals to Pascal Kenon, Loic Bessieres and Jacques Wamytan helped Mont-Dore retain their place. The vital victory – a loss would have resulted in New Caledonia losing its right to an O-League berth – finally gives the Mont-Dore players something to celebrate after a poor 2012 O-League campaign that saw them pick up just one point.
Coach Haroid Oiremoin – who stepped in to lead the side through the play-off with assistant Stephane Drahusak – was relieved to secure the necessary result in a match with so much riding on it.
“It was always going to be difficult because we did not know much about Tupapa,” Oiremoin said.
“The game was also played on quite a small pitch which did not really suit us. Tupapa put up a strong defensive block and it was difficult to find space to play through them. But they are a good team and did well – they made it very hard for us. There was a lot of pressure on us because we were holding the country’s O-League place in our hands. We had no option but to win and we are very happy that we did.”
Tupapa player-coach Tony Jamieson had clearly set out a game plan to be solid defensively and prevent Mont-Dore moving the ball quickly and it paid off for the opening half hour as the Cook Islanders frustrated their more highly-ranked opponents. Jamieson’s men could even have taken a shock lead in the 11th minute when Campbell Best got his head to a Rhys Ruka cross but his effort shaved the crossbar.
Mont-Dore were controlling possession though and eventually earned the lead their dominance deserved when the pacy Kenon broke clear down the left and tucked the ball under advancing goalkeeper Jamieson in the 33rd minute. For Tupapa to have any chance of getting back into the game they needed to make it into the sheds without conceding again but failed to do so as Bessieres showed good skill to control and fire past Jamieson on the stroke of half-time.
If that strike wasn’t enough to put the match to bed, the result was certainly beyond doubt with five minutes to go when Jamieson brought down Cedric Decoire in the box and Tahitian referee Norbert Hauata pointed to the spot. Jacques Wamytan slotted the penalty home to make sure of New Caledonia’s O-League place for at least another season.
There was still time for a consolation for Tupapa though, Grover Harmon heading home at the back post in injury time to help his team sign off on a high.
Jamieson was disappointed with the result but was pleased at the manner in which his charges performed.
“I’m extremely proud of the boys – they left nothing in the tank. They stuck to the plan we had put together and did their jobs well,” he said.
“It was a hard road to get to this point and a lot of the guys had picked up injuries or were pretty fatigued. You have to hand it to Mont-Dore though, they are a big step above us and we have to give them wraps for the win. We had some opportunities that we possibly could have capitalised on in the first half to be 1-0 up but they had a couple of breakaways and finished well.”
Tupapa had more to celebrate in the individual stakes with striker Leo Berlim’s six goals earning him the Golden Boot and defender Mii Joseph receiving the Golden Ball as player of the tournament. The Golden Gloves for best goalkeeper went to Lotoha’apai United’s Soane Faupula while hosts Lotoha’apai also earned the Fair Play Award.
Mont-Dore will now go on to join the champion clubs of Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tahiti and Vanuatu in the 2013 O-League, the winner of which will qualify for the 2013 FIFA Club World Cup.
Tupapa Maraerenga vs Mont-Dore: Download Match Summary Here
Competition Summary: Download Here

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