4 – 1
“Cedric Decoire gives New Caledonia a shock early lead”
Pivotal“Tony Kaltack levels for Vanuatu”
Pivotal“Vanuatu retake the lead with a goal to make it 2-1”
Pivotal“Vanuatu extend their lead to 3-1”
“Vanuatu add a fourth in stoppage time to seal the rout”
Vanuatu
New Caledonia
New Caledonia stunned the hosts with an early Cedric Decoire strike, but Vanuatu's response was immediate through Tony Kaltack and set the tone for a match they would eventually dominate. Vanuatu doubled up on shots and controlled territory throughout, racking up 10 shots to New Caledonia's 3 while creating far more danger in and around the box. The visitors held firm defensively for long stretches, but the floodgates opened in the final ten minutes as Vanuatu's pressure told, with three goals between the 79th and 90th minutes turning a tight contest into a rout. It's an encouraging result for Vanuatu heading into their upcoming fixtures, while New Caledonia will have to reflect on a night where they matched their opponents for large periods before fading badly at the death.
How entertaining was this match?
Vanuatu and New Caledonia clash in a winner-takes-all friendly at PVM Stadium, with elimination on the line despite the low-stakes 'friendly' label. Expect a tight, low-scoring affair between two evenly matched Pacific sides.
