FRANCE – New Caledonia must rely on a massive favour from Oceanian rivals French-Polynesia if it is to have any hope of winning a finals berth at the 2008 Coupe de’l Outre-Mer after a 4-0 loss to Guadeloupe at the weekend.
‘Les Cagous’ were completely outclassed by a polished Guadeloupe and must now hope that French-Polynesia can somehow cause an upset in its final match against New Caledonia’s conquerers.
The likelihood of that upset materialising will largely depend upon how motivated French-Polynesia remain after it also lost to table-toppers Martinique 1-0 at Stade Municipal in Seine et Marne.
French-Polynesia – represented by players from the Champpionat D1 winners AS Manu Ura and Lionel Charbonnier – also lost its first match to "Les Cagous" 1-0 and must win its final game if it wishes to progress to the play-off for 5th and 6th place.
French-Polynesia’s record in international tournaments in recent times suggests victory could be a difficult ask although they will take plenty of encouragement from the narrow margin of defeat in both its matches so far.
A goal in the 12th minute to Fabien Jerome set Guadeloupe on its way to victory with goals in the second-half to Lerny Hanany, Gregory Gendrey and Jean-Luc Lambourde swept "Les Cagous" aside with barely a whimper.
French-Polynesia competed bravely against Martinique but a 12th minute goal to Kevin Saint-Louis Augustin was enough to condemn the Oceanians to bottom place in the group without a single goal or a single point.
In Group 2, Mayotte proved little more than elaborate training fodder for La Reunion, going down 6-1 at Stade Jean Rolland. French Guiana completed Mayotte’s misery with an easy 4-2 win that puts Mayotte into the play-off for 5th and 6th place.
French Guiana plays La Reunion on 1 October with a draw enough to send La Reunion through to the final.
2008 Coupe de’l Outre-Mer
Group 1
Results
New Caledonia vs. French-Polynesia 1-0
Martinique vs. Guadeloupe 1-0
New Caledonia vs. Guadeloupe 0-4
French-Polynesia vs. Martinique 0-1
Group1
Standings – 29.09.08
|
|
PL |
W |
D |
L |
GA |
GA |
PTS |
GD |
|
|
1. |
|
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
6 |
+2 |
|
2. |
|
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
3 |
+3 |
|
3. |
|
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
3 |
-3 |
|
4. |
French-Polynesia |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
-2 |
Group 2
Results
Mayotte vs. La Reunion 1-6
Mayotte vs. French Guiana 2-4
Group 2
Standings – 29.09.08
|
|
PL |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
PTS |
GD |
|
|
1. |
La |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
1 |
+5 |
|
|
2. |
|
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
2 |
3 |
+2 |
|
3. |
|
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
10 |
0 |
-7 |