New Caledonia gain strength from China PR resistance

Some scenes speak for themselves, and the one witnessed by the spectators gathered at Arena Sosnowiec at the start of half-time in Monday’s match between New Caledonia and China PR was as intriguing as it was telling.

Making their tournament debut, primarily here to learn and fully aware that they would be facing opponents significantly more experienced than them in Poland, Leon Waitronyie’s side pulled off quite a feat – and the term is no exaggeration – by keeping the many Chinese attacks at bay and heading into the dressing room with the score still goalless.

After 45 minutes, the young New Caledonians celebrated together before they had even made their way towards the tunnel, fully aware that they had achieved something remarkable by their own standards.

“That was enough to make us happy today, because our first objective was to defend our goal, our colours and our country as much as possible, and always do it together, united," midfielder Kheimera Gondou told FIFA. "We encourage each other from start to finish, no matter what. Even if there are shots coming at us all the time, it doesn’t matter. We’re together."

If they managed to withstand all 20 of China’s shots in the first half, it was thanks to their remarkable team spirit, but also to a string of fine saves from goalkeeper Elizabeth Aben, who was all smiles despite the eventual 5-0 defeat.

"You always have to persevere, but you also have to stay positive and keep moving forward, whatever the result," said New Caledonia’s last line of defence. "We managed to hold them to 0-0 in the first half. It’s the first match of the tournament and that gives us strength for the rest of the journey."

"At one point, I thought my goalkeeper was going to stop everything," joked Gondou. "But the goals came and that’s football. It’s normal."

Having encouraged her players tirelessly and constantly offered instructions to help them hold out for as long as possible, head coach Waitronyie was also beaming with pride at the final whistle.

"At half-time, I gave them a little time to themselves and then, when they came off the pitch and came over to me, I told them that we had played a good first half and that we needed to keep that discipline," he explained.

In the end, it was perhaps inevitable that China would eventually find a way through, but for the coach and his players alike, the result could not take away from the unique feeling of playing in a FIFA World Cup.

"Whatever the score, you always have to enjoy yourself and, above all, make the most of it. This is a first, but it could perhaps be a last for some of us," concluded Aben.

And judging by the infectious enthusiasm that swept through the young New Caledonians after their historic first appearance on the world stage, they are sure to savour every moment of this unique Polish adventure, whatever happens in their remaining group matches against Spain and Nigeria.

In football, sometimes what matters most lies elsewhere.