2010 FIFA WORLD CUP SOUTH AFRICA™ – LES CAGOUS READY FOR VANUATU

NOUMEA – Last time New Caledonia faced Vanuatu in Noumea, Didier Chambaron’s team finished up 0-2 losers, a result if repeated this weekend will almost certainly end ‘les Cagous’ interest in qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.

New Caledonia’s fortunes on the international stage have soared since the 36-year-old former Aurillac amateur took over the reigns of the national team back in 2007. A creditable performance at the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) U-20 Men’s Championship in New Zealand in January 2007 hinted at things to come as New Caledonia pushed New Zealand and Fiji all the way in a tense tournament.

The organisation and discipline of the New Caledonia U-20 squad quickly filtered into the ranks of the U-17 team and it was no surprise that upon Chambaron’s senior bow his new charges overwhelmed Vanuatu at Stade Numa Daly by 5-3 in preparation for the XIII South Pacific Games – Samoa 2007.

That encouraging result was put into some perspective following a 0-2 reverse just days later at the same venue followed by a sobering 0-5 defeat against Central Coast Mariners of the Australian A-League.

There was no doubting those harsh lessons in defensive laxness were beneficial as New Caledonia turned in a miserly rearguard display in Apia at the XIII South Pacific Games; shut-outs against Tahiti, Tuvalu and Cook Islands ensured New Caledonia did enough to progress to a mouth-watering semi-final showdown against Solomon Islands that saw les Cagous prevail in a nail-biting match by 3-2. 

Adherence to sound defensive principals returned for the gold medal match against a free-scoring Fiji team as New Caledonia secured its sixth South Pacific Games football gold medal and a place at stage two of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ qualification process in the Oceania section.

The campaign got off to a nerve jangling start in Fiji with les Cagous falling behind 3-1 against Fiji. It wasn’t until a late rally that New Caledonia drew level 3-3 to snatch a much needed point and at the same time deliver a hammerblow to their rivals hopes.

For Chambaron planning New Caledonia’s campaign has been a challenging experience.

The introduction of the Super Ligue Nestle competition provided the French Overseas Territory with a much needed national club competition but Chambaron says it still has a long way to go in terms of development before the benefits will be realised.

"Technically the standard is not there yet. Apart from AS Magenta the Super Ligue Nestle teams are physical in approach and at the next level (international level) there is a clear difference," Chambaron told www.oceaniafootball.com

Chambaron’s assessment stands firm after OFC O-League representative club AS Mont Dore were eliminated from the 2007 competition after four consecutive defeats against Auckland City FC and Waitakere United FC – a far cry from the success of the national side.

The 36-year-old says the gap between New Zealand and the rest of the Oceania teams is significant but refuses to believe that it cannot be bridged.

"The main difference is in mentality. Technically the difference between the teams is not so big.

New Zealand have players that play in a professional environment and in a match they do not relax for a moment.

Our challenge is to improve our mental strength but without exposure to professionalism this will be difficult," Chambaron says.

This weekend marks a defining moment in New Caledonia’s journey under Chambaron’s tutelage with anything less than victory all but handing New Zealand the OFC Nations Cup and a qualifying slot for the FIFA Confederations Cup – South Africa 2009 and a playoff against the fifth placed team in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for a berth at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.

Another draw will mean New Caledonia will need to beat New Zealand both home and away and rely on Fiji to cause a major upset in its final match to retain any lingering hope of nabbing top spot.

There will be pressure on Vanuatu to secure a victory after winning only two of its previous seven full international matches with coach Robert Calvo calling upon his team to recapture its bronze medal winning form seen in Apia last year.

Vanuatu has beaten Solomon Islands (2-0) and Tonga (4-1) but lost twice to New Zealand (1-2 and 1-4), once to Fiji (0-3) on top of last weekend’s 1-1 draw in Port Vila with New Caledonia.

Both squads are expected to be at full strength for this weekend’s match.  

Didier Chambaron embraces Marius Mapou as New Caledonia seal XIII South Pacific games gold last year 

QUESTION TIME WITH DIDIER CHAMBARON (courtesy www.Inc.nc)

Son lieu, son heure

Le matin, très tôt, sur une plage.

Son actu

Le match de qualification à la Coupe du monde 2010, samedi, 15 heures, au stade Numa-Daly.

Son fétiche

Une pantoufle de son fils.

Le bonheur parfait, selon vous ?

En ce moment, avec ma famille heureuse et en bonne santé.

L’honnêteté, la franchise.

Je suis têtu.

Respectueux.

La lecture.

Che Guevara.

Aujourd’hui.

Mon fils, Raphaël.

Patrick Dewaere.

J’aime toutes les musiques. J’ai découvert ici le kaneka et je l’apprécie beaucoup.

Je lis de tout, tout le temps. J’adore m’informer et apprendre.

La truffade, un plat de chez moi, en Auvergne.

Le chou-fleur.

Mon fils.

Je ne regarde pas derrière moi.

L’ignorance.

Perdre un proche.

Je n’y pense pas.

Je crois au respect des autres.

Le racisme.

L’injustice.

J’en ai trop mais je me soigne.

Ma femme et mon fils.