TAHITI – There were few goals as Federation Tahitienne de Football’s (FTF) Division Federale competition woke from the festive break with only AS Pirae and TAC recording
victories.
AS Pirae’s 1-0 win over Tamarii Faaa has resurrected “les oranges” playoff hopes thanks to a raft of draws that continues to compact the league table with a seven point spread that
keeps seven clubs in contention for Tahiti’s championship and OFC O-League qualifying berth.
Tamarii Faaa’s hopes of victory were not helped by a raft of suspensions and injuries that asked serious questions of the depth and quality of its squad. Faaa began the match well
and finished the first-half level at 0-0.
The second half saw Faaa under consistent pressure as Pirae searched desperately for a goal and it finally arrived in the 77th minute when Pirae were awarded a penalty after the Faaa
goalkeeper appeared to bring down a “les oranges” striker. The spot-kick was duly converted and Pirae held onto its slender 1-0 lead despite a spirited attempt by Faaa to snatch an
equaliser.
TAC’s 3-1 victory over Central Sport has drawn its beaten rivals to within striking distance after spending most of the season enduring a seemingly continuous losing streak. Central
Sport can relate after some good early form last year.
AS Manu Ura was left wondering what might have been after its 0-0 draw with JT. JT reserve goalkeeper Gilles Guth was in outstanding form for JT following his selection after number
one keeper Mikael Roche was omitted because of injury.
Guth resisted wave after wave of attacks from AS Manu Ura who simply could not unstitch a goalkeeper in fine form. Manu Ura may be left wondering what might have been but the result
does not inflict serious damage to its championship challenge with JT likely to be more satisfied with its efforts that ensure a playoff spot remains a real possibility.
In the match of the round AS Tefana and AS Dragon drew 1-1 in a game that failed to live up to its pre-match billing. Both teams snuffed each other out in a dour fixture in which
both defences dominated.
AS Tefana scored what looked like being the winning goal with ten minutes remaining. AS Dragon spoiled the party with an 85th minute leveller that left both teams satisfied with the
result if not the performance.
The result made little difference to the playoff situation with AS Manu Ura, AS Tefana and AS Dragon separated by just two points.
Championnat Division Federale
Standings – 12.01.08
|
|
PL.
|
W.
|
D.
|
L.
|
GF.
|
GA.
|
PTS.
|
GD.
|
|
AS Manu Ura
|
10
|
6
|
3
|
1
|
18
|
4
|
25
|
+14
|
|
AS Tefana
|
10
|
5
|
4
|
1
|
24
|
9
|
24
|
+15
|
|
AS Dragon
|
10
|
4
|
5
|
1
|
19
|
13
|
23
|
+6
|
|
JT
|
9
|
3
|
5
|
1
|
14
|
13
|
20
|
+1
|
|
Tamarii Faaa
|
9
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
17
|
13
|
20
|
+4
|
|
AS Pirae
|
10
|
4
|
1
|
5
|
17
|
17
|
19
|
0
|
|
AS Temanava
|
9
|
3
|
3
|
3
|
9
|
12
|
18
|
-3
|
|
Central Sport
|
10
|
3
|
0
|
7
|
11
|
25
|
16
|
-14
|
|
TAC
|
10
|
2
|
1
|
7
|
18
|
30
|
15
|
-12
|
|
AS Aorai
|
9
|
1
|
1
|
7
|
10
|
21
|
12
|
-11
|
Division Federale: win = 3pts, draw = 2pts, loss = 1pt
Results (12.01.07): JT 0, AS Manu Ura 0; Central Sport 1, TAC 3; Tamarii Faaa 0, AS Pirae 1; AS Aorai P, AS Temanava P; AS Tefana 1, AS Dragon 1.