The Coupe de Caledonie champions will face their Championnat de France Amateur (CFA) opponents at Stade Numa Daly on November 15.
AS Magenta have made eight appearances in the famed Coupe de France between 1994 and 2011 with their best finish coming in 2010 when they advanced to Round 8 of the competiton – the first and only time a New Caledonia club has achieved this.
While no club has repreated this milestone, several have come close.
Only one year before Magenta’s triumph, AS Mont Dore came within seconds of an historic finish of their own. Leading 3-1 with 15 minutes of regular time remaining against Avranches, the home side launched a comeback which proved fatal to their Pacific visitors. After scoring the equaliser in the dying seconds of the match Avranches went on to win 5-3 in extra-time.
In 2011 Gaitcha represented Le Calliou in France, but were downed 9-0 by Compiègne. Lössi were next, welcoming Mulhouse to Stade Numa Daly in 2012 where they were beaten 3-0 in 2012.
Last year Hienghène won the Coupe de Caledonie and became the first team from New Caledonia’s northern province to represent the country in the Coupe de France. The side travelled to Metropole where they played Poissy. The winning goal came just seconds after Fabiano Dahite’s equaliser and the side were sent packing with a 2-1 defeat.
Now, AS Magenta have once again returned to the domestic form that has seen them make eight previous appearances in this competition and they are are keen for a special performance to reward their loyal local supporters.
It won’t be an easy encounter for coach Alain Moizan’s side, with their opponent currently sitting fourth in Group D of the CFA, and on a path to secure promotion to National (Division 3).
Coupe de France: recent results
2009 – AS Mont Dore lost 5-3 to Avranches in extra time
2010: AS Magenta beat Dunkerque (CFA) 5-4 after holding them to 1-1 in normal time. They were then beaten 4-0 by Paris FC in Round 8.
2011: FC Gaïtcha lost 9-0 to Compiègne (CFA)
2012: AS Lössi lost 3-0 to Mulhouse (CFA)
2013: Hienghène Sport lost 2-1 to Poissy (CFA2)
For more on New Caledonia football go to www.fedcalfoot.com.

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