Sidaner: New Caledonia are embracing the underdog role
As their Play-Off Tournament clash with Jamaica approaches, FIFA spoke with New Caledonia coach Johann Sidaner and stars Gope-Fenepej, Zeoula and Mathelon.
New Caledonia is just two matches away from a historic first qualification for the FIFA World Cup
Les Cagous face Jamaica in Guadalajara in the Play-off Tournament semi-final
Head coach Johann Sidaner, along with a trio of key players, spoke with FIFA
Watching the New Caledonian side bounce around and shout with joy over a simple successful drill in training, it’s hard to imagine that the team is on the verge of a place in history, as they prepare to face Jamaica in the FIFA Play-Off Tournament.
The winner of that match will meet Congo DR on 31 March for a place at the FIFA World Cup™ and in the build-up to such a crucial fixture Les Cagous seem impervious to pressure. The carefree attitude on display at their training base in Mexico could prove to be a major asset against Jamaica, the overwhelming favourite in the semifinal.
“My players are completely fresh,” declares head coach Johann Sidaner. "They're playing without any pressure. We've told them not to change a thing. We have nothing to lose, and we're embracing our role as underdogs with a sense of responsibility. We’re not here just to put on a good show—we’re here to try to qualify.”
Facing a Jamaican outfit that are 80 places higher on the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking, the team will try to make a difference with their strengths: carefree play, dedication and technical quality.
“We’re pretty technical, pretty good with the ball, and we have a few fast players,” explains captain Cesar Zeoula. “We’ll also have to fight hard, stick together, and show resilience,” adds Morgan Mathelon, who admits he’s “having a hard time realising” the sense of the occasion.
Long-serving star forward Georges Gope-Fenepej is also keenly aware that the team stands on the verge of something very special. “This is our achievement; we went out and earned it."
"We wanted to reach this playoff from the very start of the qualifiers,” adds Sidaner.
"Jamaica is more in a do-or-die situation. They’re under more pressure. We’ll have to try to make them doubt themselves. We have 90 or 120 minutes to hold on. We know the psychological aspect will be crucial in this match."
“We appreciate the opportunity to be here,” continues the former FC Nantes U-17 coach. “It’s a great opportunity for everyone: for the players and for New Caledonian football. The idea is to try to take this journey a little further.”
“We all know it’s going to be tough, but nothing ventured, nothing gained,” reflects Gope-Fenepej, who currently plays in France with National 2 outfit Saint-Colomban Sportive Locmine. “In any case, all of New Caledonia will be behind us; I hope we get a good result.”
“We’re going to give it our all to try to make this dream come true,” promises Mathelon.
Whatever happens on Thursday night when the final whistle blows, New Caledonia must not forget that for them, with a squad comprised predominantly of amateur players, the fact that they’re competing in the playoffs is already an incredible victory in itself.
And that, after all, is what makes this sport so beautiful.