Football: New Caledonia dedicate win to their people

New Caledonia have qualified for the FIFA OFC World Cup 2026 qualifier final in Auckland on 24 March, following their 3-0 win over Tahiti in Wellington on Friday afternoon.

The goals came in the second spell, via Georges Gope-Fenepej, who scored a double, and replacement Lues Waya.

Fenepej told the media after the game the win was for their families and people.

He dedicated his two goals to his people and families.

"These two goals are dedicated to my late brother, who passed away recently," Fenepej said.

"It's also dedicated to my country, New Caledonia. The two goals means so much to me and also for my family."

Fenepej lobbed a high ball into the back of the net in the 51st minute, then slammed a piledriver through the Tahitian defence in the 76th minute, for his second.

Replacement Lues Waya added the team's third, from about 30 metres out in the 91st minute.

Fenepej said he was stoked to have scored.

"It's the group, it's the boys working hard today," he said through a translator.

"We deserve a win and we scored three goals. It's just a perfect day and am very happy."

Head coach, Johann Sidaner, was happy with the win, pointing to Penepej as a motivator for the side.

"Obviously having individuality like Fenepej and his talents is just a big addition to the team," he said.

"We rely on collective and those individual players."

He said they now focus on the next game, the final in Auckland.

"Delighted with how we played in the game," he said.

"And very happy to have that reward of having to play the final on Monday in Auckland."

Israel-based Jekob Jeno said they dedicate their win to their people back home, especially after the local political upheaval last year.

"This win is for our parents, our children, our little sisters and brothers," Jeno said.

"We wanted to show that we can play, we can the game."

He said they aim to win the final, whether they play New Zealand or Fiji.

"We want to win," he said.

"We play always to win. You know in New Caledonia we do not have a competition because of the upheavals.

"It's not easy but today you see if we play with the heart we can win."

Tahiti finished the game with 14 players, after defender Pothin Poma was sent off with a yellow card in injury time.

Tit-for-tat in first half

The sun came out as the two island teams took centre stage at the Sky Stadium in the New Zealand capital in the first semifinal.

Deft skills were on show by both set of players, a lot obviously showing the result of playing competitive football in France.

Both teams had players playing in the French league.

The two teams fought to a nil-all draw after the first 45 minutes.

With around 2000 fans watching the first encounter, including those from both countries on the stands, it was Tahiti who kicked off.

But New Caledonia put together the first attack of the game through Jean Jacques Katrawa, who stole the ball and set up play before Georges Gope Penepej chipped over the box.

They followed that up with Katrawa shooting past the post as they attacked again in the first minute of the game.

Tahiti slowly crept back into the game and started playing some good combinations, showing variations of passes, and striker Benoit Mathon failed to lurch on to a through pass from Eddy Kasparo inside the box.

Kasparo was then taken out just at the edge of the box in the nine minutes mark, but the freekick from Mateo Degrumelle sailed over the crossbar and into the empty grandstand behind the goalmouth.

New Caledonia captain Cesar Zeoula also sent a pile-driver over the crossbar in the 12th minute from a freekick they were given inside the Tahiti half.

Then Joseph Athale slipped the ball wide from a corner kick, as New Caledonia attacked in the 16th minute.

Tahiti goalkeeper Teave Teamotuaitau read the game well in the first half, taking saves off the New Caledonian attacks, a number of times collecting cross kicks from corner attempts.

His New Caledonian counterpart Rocky Nyikeine also responded well from his own box and saved a header off Tahiti striker Benoit Mathon in the 27th minute.

Tahiti defender Matatia Paama saved a likely New Caledonian goal in the 32nd minute when he got in between a beaten goakkeeper Teamotiaitau and striker Katrawa and kicked the ball out of the field.

Then Fonzy Ranchain got his attempt saved by Teamotiatau in the 35th minute.

Titouan Richard then shot across the goalmouth in the 39th minute as New Caledonia continued the pressure, followed by Jekob Jeno, who had an empty goalmouth in the 44th minute as Teamotuaitau came out to try and stop him but sent his header over the crossbar,

Second spell winners

New Caledonia's Katrawa came off in the 48th minute with an injury and was replaced by goalscorer Waya.

Just as Tahiti looked like they were settling down, Fenepej chipped over into an empty goalmouth for New Caledonia to lead 1-0.

Then Teva Lossec had the chance to draw level for Tahiti in he 64th minute but his shot went over the crossbar.

But in the 75th Fenepej claimed his second goal, before Waya got his name on the scoresheet, as Tahiti were reduced to defending their goalmouth.

New Caledonia came through pool play last year, beating Papua New Guinea 3-1 and drew with Fiji 1-1 in Group A, topping the pool.

Tahiti came through Pool B, finishing behind New Zealand. They recorded a 3-0 loss to the All Whites but scored wins over Samoa and Vanuatu.

They recorded a 3-0 victory over Samoa and 2-0 over Vanuatu.

It is the first time Oceania has direct entry to the World Cup.

The runner-up will also have a chance to qualify via the FIFA Intercontinental Playoff Tournament.

New Caledonia: 3 (Georges Gope-Fenepej 51', 76', Lues WAYA 90+1')

Tahiti: 0

HT: 1-0