ZAVERONI HAT-TRICK LIGHTS UP CHAMPIONSHIP

TAHITI – A virtuoso performance and thrilling hat-trick from Tahiti beach soccer international Teva Zaveroni was enough to give his club TAC a much needed 4-2 Division Federale
victory over AS Aorai at Stade Pater at the weekend.

Zaveroni helped himself to three sublime goals and laid on his team’s fourth scored by Garry Rochette. It was a thrilling performance from TAC and its playmaking captain and left
fans wondering what the season may have held had recent quality performances been the norm rather than exception.

AS Aorai who experienced an unexpected rally over recent weeks scored twice through Giovanni Mateau and Stanley Poevai but to no avail as the club sits in last place in Division
Federale.

Central Sport’s scramble for the playoffs after goals from Maire Mauri and Steven Mopi cancelled out Naea Bennett’s 30th minute equaliser in a pulsating encounter at Stade
Pater.

AS Pirae bounced back with a plucky victory over struggling TAC last week thanks to some dogged defending and sly counter attacking but there was to be no repeat for ‘les
oranges’ of last week’s two goals in the final minute to seal the points.

The victory leaves AS Pirae in 7th place in Division Federale with Central Sports breathing down its neck in 8th place still awaiting the decision on its
Coupe de Polynesie future following the Steevy Chung controversy.

AS Tefana were scheduled to meet AS Temanava in the Coupe de Polynesie Final until AS Temanava’s berth was challenged after allegedly fielding an unregistered player in the
semi-final victory over Central Sports.

JT had to survive a torrid second-half comeback from Tamarii Faaa at Stade de Puurai before registering a narrow 2-1 win over its rivals.

JT scored through Stanley Atani (later replaced with an injury to his left thigh) and James Tekohuotetua.

Goalkeeper Mikael Roche was in excellent form to prevent JT surrendering its 2-0 lead denying Phillipe Gueleme with a string of saves. Roche was eventually beaten by Hiro Labaste
but by then it was too late for Tamarii Faaa.

JT remain firmly in the race for the Division Federale title and playoff series and on the basis of this performance remain one of AS Manu Ura’s chief obstacles for back-to-back
titles.

AS Manu Ura handed AS Tefana its first loss of the Division Federale season as Tefana’s difficult start to February continued. Already uncertain as to whom its opponents will be in the Coupe de
Polynesie Final, AS Tefana were no match for the “Mauves” in a match that had a huge psychological significance in the Division Federale race.

Tahitian international Billy Mataitai opened the scoring after just three minutes to shock AS Tefana. AS Manu Ura increased its lead with a second strike to Auguste Washetine
after 60 minutes when the New Caledonian-born front man fired a shot into the crossbar only for the ball to rebound favourably to his feet before applying a telling finish.

Rini Moretta scored a consolation goal for AS Tefana in the dying moments but his effort wasn’t enough to prevent the defending champions taking maximum points.

A second-half strike from Christian Shan Sei Faiv kept AS Dragon’s hopes of catching defending champions AS Manu Ura alive in Division Federale after a closely fought encounter
in Maatea.

AS Dragon celebrated its Chinese roots with a Chinese New Year title boost with AS Manu Ura’s lead cut to just two points.

The former champions and OFC O-League participants remain four points adrift of a play-off berth and will be relying on its game in hand against cellar-dwellers AS Aorai if it
hopes to relive past glories.

Championnat Division Federale

Standings – 14.02.08

Division Federale: win = 3pts, draw = 2pts, loss = 1pt

Results: AS Pirae 1, Central Sport 2; TAC 4, AS Aorai 2; AS Tefana 1, AS Manu Ura 2; Tamarii Faaa 1, JT 2; AS Temanava 0, AS Dragon 1.