"One chance in a thousand" – those are the odds New Caledonia coach Didier Chambaron hopes his team can overcome if it hopes to beat New Zealand in 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ qualifying action this Saturday.
Chambaron says a lack of competitive fixtures to help prepare for what looms as his territories biggest match in its short football history could prove costly against a New Zealand side comprised of seasoned professionals.
"The players see the standard required each week on television so they are under no illusion about the challenge in front of us," Chambaron told Les Nouvelles Caledonienne reporter Christophe Chohin.
"Some weeks our training sessions are in Magenta, the next somewhere else. It is not ideal."
If the All Whites beat New Caledonia in Noumea on September 6 or in the return fixture at North Harbour Stadium four days later, they will earn a playoff against Asia’s fifth placed team for a spot at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa™
With all of New Caledonia’s squad based in the French Overseas Territory and the Super Ligue Nestle competition yet to kick-off New Zealand will head into the match as strong favourites and boast a talented squad.
The kiwis will be led by Captain Ryan Nelsen, back from English Premiership duty with Blackburn Rovers and can boast 16 professional players in their squad of 18.
All Whites coach Ricki Herbert said the loss of his first choice target man Chris Killen to injury was a big blow to the team and the promising partnership developing between Killen and Phoenix forward Shane Smeltz.
“Chris has been an integral part of our plans since day one. He’s great around the team and his experience is crucial, but the player’s long-term welfare has got to be the priority,” Herbert said.
Chambaron says the situation is more difficult for New Caledonia than it was a year ago.
"I feel there is less certainty about the strength and quality of our preparation than this time last year when we won the South Pacific Games title."
"We have been training for one month and if we only have one chance in a thousand (to win the match) then it is still one chance – there is hope," Chambaron said.
Chambaron will rely heavily on the form and ability of Pierre Wajoka, Michel Hmae and Jose Hmae, his three mainstays in that gold medal winning team.
Wajoka – an enigmatic talent – set the South Pacific games alight last year with Jose Hmae – the former AS Pirae attacking midfielder – scoring the winning goal against Fiji in the final match in Apia.
Chambaron will name his squad in the middle of the week and dropped strong hints that some players who have featured in the past could be left out for disciplinary reasons.
"The requirements of this amateur group of players to do well in this match exceeds their normal levels – the New Zealand media expect their team to seize a unique chance to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.
“I hope Les Cagous are well-supported by as many fans that turned out for the Christian Karembeu Jubilee match in May – it would be great to count on fans in our country to be a 12th player.
“It would be great to share this dream of South Africa with our fans. We represent amateur footballers against businessmen footballers."
Chambaron’s refreshing and honest assessment of Les Cagous World Cup hopes is tempered by his belief that at an individual level New Caledonia can measure up to New Zealand.
"Man for man, technically, we can match New Zealand but how we measure that collectively over the two matches is harder to assess."
New Caledonian clubs have played New Zealand clubs in the 2007 O-League with AS Mont Dore drawn against Auckland City FC and Waitakere United. AS Mont Dore lost all four matches despite featuring a raft of national team players.
For the latest update on the Les Cagous please visit www.Inc.nc
This story courtesy of Christophe Chohin and Les Nouvelles Caledoniennes
2010 FIFA WORLD CUP SOUTH AFRICA™ QUALIFIERS OCEANIAN ZONE
STANDINGS – 01.09.08
| PL | W | D | L | GF | GA | PTS | GD | ||
| 1. | New Zealand | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 9 | +5 |
| 2. | New Caledonia | 2 | 0 | 4 | +7 | ||||
| 3. | Vanuatu | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | -7 | |||
| 4. | Fiji | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 1 |
-6 |
The winner of Stage 2 qualifies for a two legged playoff with the fifth placed team in Asia Football Confederation (AFC)
NEW CALEDONIA 2007/08 record
Friendly vs. Vanuatu (H) won 5-3
Friendly vs. Vanuatu (H) won 2-0
Friendly vs. Central Coast Mariners (A) lost 0-5
South Pacific Games vs. Tahiti (N) won 1-0
South Pacific Games vs. Tuvalu (N) won 1-0
South Pacific Games vs. Cook Islands (N) won 3-0
South Pacific Games vs. Fiji (N) drew 1-1
South Pacific Games vs. Solomon Islands (N) won 3-2
South Pacific Games vs. Fiji (N) won 1-0
World Cup Qualifier vs. Fiji (A) drew 3-3
World Cup Qualifier vs. Fiji (H) won 4-0
World Cup Qualifier vs. Vanuatu (A) drew 1-1
World Cup Qualifier vs. Vanuatu (H) won 3-0