SATURDAY’S (20 August) match against New Caledonia at Merrimac Soccer Club has been switched to a 3.00pm kick off after their coach Christophe Coursimault requested a daytime start to the match to assist their preparations for the Pacific Games, which start in Noumea on 27 August.
Wednesday night-s match will go ahead at the original scheduled time of 7.00pm and Gold Coast United Head Coach Miron Bleiberg said he was happy to make the adjustment to assist the island nation.
“New Caledonia have the Pacific Games to get ready for so we were happy to accommodate their request as the tournament starts very soon,” Bleiberg said.
“The matches against New Caledonia will give us what we-re after in terms of our own pre-season preparations and I think playing us will be a good test for them also.
“They play happy football and like to attack, so both matches will be very hard for us. With less than a couple of months left before our season starts it-s a good chance for us to see where we are and also for us to have a look at one or two players in different positions.
“Our aim is to win the games as well because we want to enter every game with the same mentality. I will be fielding my strongest available side in both games,” he said.
New Caledonia landed in Australia over the weekend and have already stretched their legs in training sessions at Merrimac.
Head Coach Christophe Coursimault said the whole squad were enjoying the local hospitality, but are focussed on achieving the best possible build up to the Pacific Games football tournament, especially as they are the current gold medal holders.
“The weather is magnificent and the team has enjoyed a wonderful welcome to the Gold Coast,” said Coursimault.
“We are very much looking forward to the matches against Gold Coast United as we prepare for the Pacific Games. We won the gold medal four years ago and hope to win it again.
“To play against a professional team is ideal for us so we can test ourselves against strong opponents,” he added.
MATCH DETAILS:
Wednesday 17 August
GOLD COAST UTD v NEW CALEDONIA
At Merrimac SC, Fairway Drive, Clear Island Waters.
Meet & greet autograph session 5.00pm – 5.45pm.
Match kick-off 7.00pm.
Saturday 20 August
GOLD COAST UTD v NEW CALEDONIA
At Merrimac SC, Fairway Drive, Clear Island Waters.
Match kick-off 3.00pm.
