Football: St Michel regain President’s Cup
La Passe’s Stephen Gomme sent off
ST MICHEL regained the President’s Cup for a record eighth victory with a thrilling 4-3 win over La Passe in the season’s curtain-raiser played on Saturday at Stad Linite and watched by President James Michel, Vice-President Joseph Belmont, ministers and other high government officials.
The game started at a high pace and it took St Michel only three minutes to open the scoring as Don Anacoura floated a corner which Allen Larue headed past goalie Dave Mussard (1-0).
Six minutes later, La Passe had a half-chance as Achille Henriette pounced on a poor pass by Malagasy Jimmy Radafison, who was making his debut for St Michel. Henriette fed captain Bruno Saindini whose low shot flew inches wide.
In the 15th minute, St Michel stretched their lead from a good passing move as Anacoura linked up with Radafison and Carl Hall to release Alex Nibourette whose teasing cross hit a post and Francis Nourrice tapped home the rebound (2-0).
La Passe fought back and three minutes later, Henriette threaded a pass to the irrepressible Saindini who beat the offside trap but his shot was stopped by goalie Nelson Sopha, who made another brilliant stop from Eric Rajaobery’s point blank header in the 19th minute.
St Michel scored a third goal in the 22nd minute as Nibourette released Anacoura whose cross fell to Hall who shot into an empty net after Mussard misjudged the flight of the ball (3-0).
La Passe though showed their fighting spirit and reduced the arrears in the 28th minute. Henriette curled in a corner which the inspirational Saindini headed past Sopha (3-1).
St Michel were out of sorts in defence where La Passe’s speed and movement created havoc. Saindini scored again two minutes later. Henriette rolled the ball to him at a freekick and his low shot went through Sopha’s legs for a soft goal (3-2).
In the 37th minute, St Michel had a decent chance to increase their lead as Hall’s through ball gave Anacoura a good opportunity but his lob sailed agonisingly wide.
In the 44th minute, La Passe completed their remarkable comeback as Saindini floated a corner which Rajaobery glanced past Sopha (3-3).
The second half was as entertaining despite the lack of goals. St Michel brought on Wilnes Brutus for Hall and in the 52nd minute the former Red Star forward showed some great skill with a drag back but his shot flew wide and in the 58th minute, Anacoura’s freekick grazed the crossbar.
La Passe also threatened at the other end as Henriette’s curling freekick was cleared on the goalline by Samuel Henriette in the 62nd minute.
Two minutes later, Rajaobery cut the ball back to Saindini whose fierce shot was saved by Sopha who also tipped over substitute Stephan Morel’s stinging shot a minute later.
In the 67th minute on a counter, Brutus had a clear run at goal but he decided to square the ball to substitute Leeroy Corallie and fluffed a great opportunity.
In the 70th minute, Rajaobery found space on the right to centre to Malagasy Hassman Abdou who could not direct his header on target with the goal at his mercy.
La Passe were reduced to 10 when Stephen Gomme was sent off by referee Eddie Maillet for his second bookable offence.
As the match looked to be heading for extra-time, St Michel stole the victory. It came from an Anacoura corner which Mussard should have saved but missed and there was Larue to volley home via the crossbar for a 4-3 scoreline.
La Passe tried to fight back but it was too late and they had to concede defeat in a match where they had given so much but sadly left empty-handed.
St Michel coach Ralph Jean-Louis said it was a tough match and added that his team lost concentration after going 3-0 up.
He added that some strong words at half-time helped them and they are happy to start the season with a victory, especially against a La Passe side who had been their bogey team last season.
Cups and medals were presented to the teams and officials by President Michel, Vice-President Belmont and Seychelles Football chairman Suketu Patel.
R. J-L.
Source: NATION 2-22-1