Just under two weeks ago, Lössi defeated favourites Magenta in the final of the Coupe de Calédonie to secure their passage into the premier knockout cup competition in France.
The Coupe de France is open to all amateur and professional football clubs in France, including clubs based in the overseas departments and territories, with the winner of the final qualifying for the group stage of the Europa League.
After close to 24 hours spent travelling from France, the players and management of Mulhouse have been enjoying leaving behind the impending winter in Alsace to frolic under the warm sun in the Pacific.
This is not the first time Mulhouse has had to leave the Hexagon having previously travelled to Tahiti and Reunion and captain Samir Kescha, who was part of the successful visit to Reunion, says the team are yet to have an unsuccessful sojourn.
“It has always gone well. We are good here in Nouméa and we are making the most of the present moment – we are in an extraordinary context here in New Caledonia,” Kescha says.
However Mulhouse coach Laurent Croci says the side has not travelled all this way to be tourists.
“We set objectives at the beginning of the season with the players – part of that is the Championship,” Croci says.
“But the other part is the Coupe de France. It’s always a little random in terms of the draw but we want to qualify for the ninth round with the idea of leaving the anonymity of the Championship behind and getting into the spotlight.
“There is only the cup that allows us to do that. And my men have made a lot of sacrifices at every level and for them to be repaid we need to have success here.”
While success in New Caledonia may be the objective, Croci is aware that Lössi will not be making it easy for his side to return to France with a win.
“Lössi managed the feat of putting Magenta in their shadow. This team possesses a great offensive ability with more than 50 goals in the championship this season,” he says.
“We need to be careful. Even though I know their best goalscorer Jacques Haeko is suspended these men have the qualities to win, they are skilled and of great physical capacity. We expect a very difficult match.”
While a win for Mulhouse will help them improve their profile, Lössi has already achieved its objective for the season having beaten Magenta to take the Coupe de Calédonie and earn a place in the Coupe de France for the second time in the club’s history.
“We aren’t putting any pressure on,” coach Thierry Sardo says.
“We have to be serious and hold them to 0-0 at the very least. To achieve that we can’t play like we did on Saturday where we lost 3-1 to Qanono. Our young players weren’t there but since Monday we have been training more seriously.
“In the cup there are always surprises. If Lössi can create one on Saturday it would be great.”
Coupe de France
AS Lössi v FC Mulhouse
Saturday November 17
Stade Numa Daly, Noumea
Kickoff: 3pm local time
For a video preview of the match between Lössi and Mulhouse click here
For more on New Caledonia football go to www.fedcalfoot.com

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