New Zealand's Michael Boxall scores for New Zealand against New Caledonia goalkeeper Rocky Nyikeine. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Les Cagous threw everything they had into the OFC 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier final against the All Whites before they went down 3-0 in a tight encounter.
Despite the loss, they still have a chance, going through the confederation cup play-off in 2026.
While the All Whites were favourites all along, New Caledonia took the fight to them and managed to hold their own in the first half.
Levelled nil-all at half-time, the All Whites had to wait for 61 minutes, before they could break the deadlock.
The 25,132 fans who turned up to watch the clash expected their home team to win the game easily.
But there were tense moments on the stands as New Caledonia took all that New Zealand threw at them and responded with their own counter attacking movements.
New Zealand's Marko Stamenic surrounded by New Caledonia defenders. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Even captain Chris Wood had to leave the field pre-maturely in the 53rd minute after he suffered a hip injury.
Michael Boxall scored a few minutes later before Kosta Barbarouses doubled New Zealand's lead.
Then it was Eli Just who wrapped up the result in the 80th minute.
The win will see New Zealand return to the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 16 years.
But it was not a walk in the park for the hosts as they were made to work for their win, despite storming past Fiji with a 7-0 scoreline in Wellington last Friday.
New Caledonia provided stern resistance for an hour that was almost unbearable for the All Whites fans and the team.
Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER
Proud coach
New Caledonia's head coach Johan Sidaner said he was proud of his players, who gave their all.
"They worked really, really hard to keep them (New Zealand) in check to make them doubt," he said through a translator.
"We had great success in the first half. I loved what I saw on the field today.
"I loved the technical skills they showed. Unfortunately, it was not enough today."
Sidaner said they will now have to prepare better for the elimination round the team will go through, adding that will not be easy.
He said they were focused on winning against New Zealand.
"We did not prepare to play in the play-off, we prepared to win this game, and we really prepared hard for this game tonight," he said.
"But now we have to through the next step, and we are going to give our best, as I know there is a small chance but we can do it."
The star for New Caledonia was goalkeeper Rocky Nyikeine, who was also between the posts when the side beat New Zealand back in 2012.
He managed to keep his goalmouth intact for majority of the game, until the last 30 when the All Whites managed to push three goals past him.
Sidaner said they will now plan for the next stage and hope they can get some international games between now and March 2026, when they are expected to play in the play-off.
He is confident though that his young warriors will come back stronger.
The team also dedicated their campaign to their people back in New Caledonia, which is still going through some challenges, following the political upheavals in 2024.
"We obviously thought about everyone back home and we wanted to bring joy to the people and we hope they are proud of us."
New Caledonia played well defensively and crowded the midfield when the All Whites had the ball.
They also counter-attacked a number of times, pushing the ball around the field, and at times beating the New Zealand players with their individual skills.
They started slowly but once they were on the roll they were able to show their own pattern, stringing together passes.
But New Zealand had too much experience and playing the game in the right side of the field finally paid off when they scored their goals and won in the end.
New Zealand players celebrate winning OFC Qualifiers Final at Eden Park Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz
All Whites pressure
There was no denying the fact that the hosts had a tough time, with even the 'usually cool' coach Darren Bazeley seen walking around the official box in front of his team's bench in the second half as the minutes ticked away.
Captain Wood was not able to get any goals and suffered a hip injury that forced him off the field.
Coach Bazeley said they went through quite abit but qualifying was great.
"I never felt at risk for the game but it was little bit edgy," he said.
"It wasn't quite working for us. I thought they [New Caledonia] played very well and we made changes.
"We maybe under-estimated them. But this is a different challenge, there's a world cup on the line and everyone wants to get there, desperate to get there.
"We were playing in a game where we were the heavy favourites and it's a weird feeling for the players and something we have to deal with obviously. And it got us a little bit longer to get it done.".
He said they have a good squad and now have good options across the team.
Goal-scorer Barbarouses said it was special to win.
"Pretty emotional, a culmination of 15 years of work into one moment for me," he said.
"To help contribute get to where we wanna go, pretty emotional."
While New Zealand looks forward to playing some international friendlies moving forward, New Caledonia will hope to be able to get some games as well to prepare them for the play-off.
