Photo Credit: Photo by Alex Caparros – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
New Caledonia battled hard but were unable to contain Brazil in their second Group C match, suffering a 9-0 defeat at the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Indonesia.
Despite showing greater resolve and discipline than in their opening fixture against England, Leo Lopez’s side struggled to contain a Brazil outfit determined to respond following their own match day one loss to Iran.
The Oceania side were able to keep the scores level longer than they had managed in Saturday evening’s tie but did eventually succumb to the yellow wave of pressure their opponents exerted.
Rayan broke the deadlock just before the half hour mark, meeting a corner from Estevão with a powerful header that clipped the underside of the crossbar before nestling in the goal.
Estevão – who was chief menace for his side – doubled the lead a little over ten minutes later, cutting in from the right-hand side and expertly curling an effort into the far corner past goalkeeper Nicolas Kutran.
A third was added a minute before the half-time break. Luighi turning sharply in the box and calmly side-footing his shot into the far corner to put Brazil firmly in control.
New Caledonia had little opportunity to start the second period with any rejuvenation. Less than a minute was on the clock when Kauã Elias ghosted in at the far post to head past Kutran following another terrific delivery from Estevão.
Brazil showed little in the way of letting up and added a fifth from the penalty spot. A VAR check confirmed a handball from Inine Huna and Rayan stepped up to the spot, his left-footed strike too much for Kutran, despite the goalkeeper guessing the right way.
Captain and central defender Vitor Reis then got in on the act, nodding in from close range after his defensive partner Joao Victor has headed back across the face of goal following a corner.
Joao Victor himself then got himself on the scoresheet, lashing home a drive from outside that area, that flashed past Kutran and into the roof of the net.
In a rare foray into Brazilian territory, New Caledonia did manage their first attempt of the match. Jean-Philippe Angexetine breaking down the right-hand channel but blazing his effort high over the crossbar of Matheus Correa.
Their efforts to find a consolation left New Caledonia open in the defence as the minutes ticked down. Kauã Elias taking advantage to fire in his second via a deflection to make it 8-0.
A second shot on goal for New Caledonia came in the form of another sliced effort, this time from Gregory Diko, who was well placed on the left-hand edge of the box. Moments later Elias completed his hat-trick – tapping in from close range after Kutran had parried Lorran’s effort from distance.
One final group stage tie remains for New Caledonia, when they take on Iran on Friday evening. A win is a must if they are to have any chance of progressing to the knockout stages in Indonesia.
Brazil: 9 (RAYAN 28′, (P) 51′, ESTEVÃO 39, LUIGHI 44′, KAUÃ ELIAS 46′ 86′, 90+4′, VITOR REIS 56′, JOAO VICTOR 61′)
New Caledonia: 0
HT: 3-0