NOUMEA: With the playoffs starting at the end of next month, the top five teams in New Caledonia’s division d’honneur are making every game count with only three play off spots available.
League leader Magenta and second placed Mont-Dore should secure the first two playoff spots with a minimum seven point lead from the third placed team AS Poum. JS Baco (4th) and Gaitcha FCN (5th) will likely vie with AS Poum for the third playoff spot.
The fourth playoff spot is currently been decided in the territorial leagues with the winner joining the top three in the division d’honneur.
Magenta, the reigning champion from 2003, has been the form team all year. However, 2002 champion Mont Dore has also performed well after a forgettable 2003 season. They will also be determined to reclaim their crown and get another chance at the French Overseas Territories Cup which Magenta holds after their historical victory over Tahitian champion AS Pirae last year.
Last weekend’s round 14 results saw Magenta flex its scoring muscles to thrash AS Auteuil 5-2. Magenta has scored almost twice as many goals this season than any other team, 51 to be exact. Gaitcha and JS Baco’s important clash was postponed due to heavy rain while Mont Dore retained second place with a hard fought 1-0 win over USC. ACB Poya overpowered Olympique 6-2 while AS Poum kept their noses in the playoff hunt with a commanding 6-3 win over ASLN Kouaoua.
Round 14 results:
AS Magenta – AS Auteuil 5-2
Gaïtcha FCN – JS Baco postponed
AS Mont-Dore – USC 1-0
ACB Poya – Olympique 6-2
AS Poum – ASLN Kouaoua 6-3
Teams Pts P W D L F A diff.1. AS Magenta 48 14 11 1 2 51 18 +33
2. Mont-Dore 46 14 10 2 2 25 9 +16
3. AS Poum 39 13 8 2 3 28 19 +9
4. JS Baco 37 12 8 1 3 29 19 +10
5. Gaitcha FCN 34 13 6 3 4 22 22 0
6. USC 27 14 3 4 7 20 25 -5
7. ACB Poya 25 13 4 0 9 25 27 -2
8. Kouaoua 24 13 3 2 8 19 38 -19
9. AS Auteuil 23 12 3 2 7 21 30 -9
10. Olympique 18 14 1 1 12 18 51 -33